The Duleep Trophy is set to commence on August 28 in Bengaluru, marking the beginning of India’s domestic cricket season. This year, the tournament will revert to its traditional zonal format, with teams representing various regions. West Zone has announced a strong squad, captained by Shardul Thakur, featuring prominent players such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan, and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Notably, seasoned batters Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara have been omitted, indicating a shift in the team’s strategy.
The decision to appoint Shardul Thakur as captain over Shreyas Iyer has raised questions. Given Iyer’s experience, many expected him to lead the team. However, the choice was influenced by scheduling and availability. With the Asia Cup scheduled to start on September 9, there’s a high possibility of Iyer being selected for the Indian team. Selectors opted not to risk naming a captain who might be unavailable for the entire Duleep Trophy. Consequently, Shardul Thakur, with a higher likelihood of being available, was given the captaincy.
A day before the squad announcement, it was reported that Shreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan, and Shivam Dube had expressed their interest in participating in the Duleep Trophy. Iyer, who last played a Test match in February 2024 against England, is keen to secure his place in the Test side. He has played 14 Tests, scoring one century and five half-centuries. Sarfaraz Khan, also part of the England series, shares the same ambition of impressing the selectors. Currently, Shardul Thakur will lead West Zone, while Iyer’s focus might shift towards international commitments if he is included in India’s Asia Cup team.
