In a significant move, the South Zone selectors have opted to disregard the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s recommendation, declining to include several centrally contracted players in their squad for the upcoming Duleep Trophy 2025-27. The BCCI had sent an email to all cricket associations, encouraging the inclusion of centrally contracted players in their zonal squads. This directive primarily targeted the South Zone, which had initially omitted prominent players such as KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Sai Sudharsan, and Prasidh Krishna. Only Tilak Varma found a place in the squad, leading to the board’s objection. The South Zone selectors have defended their decision, emphasizing that the Duleep Trophy should serve as a platform to reward domestic cricketers who excel in the Ranji Trophy and other domestic tournaments. They maintain that players like Rahul and Siraj could gain match practice through India A fixtures instead of displacing deserving domestic talents. This decision has ignited a debate within Indian cricket, questioning whether the Duleep Trophy should prioritize nurturing domestic talent or maintaining the match-readiness of India’s top players. The BCCI’s response to this situation could influence future selection policies, especially with the Asia Cup and other major tournaments on the horizon.
