It looks like Indian Test player Akash Deep will miss the start of the domestic season. The pacer, part of India’s recent drawn Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England, looked in some discomfort in the series and is now set to miss the Duleep Trophy for East Zone.
Akash Deep ruled out of Duleep Trophy
Akash Deep was initially included for the East Zone side, which is set to be led by Ishan Kishan. However, a PTI journalist reports that Mukhtar Hussain, one of the standby players, will replace the Bengal pacer. Mukhtar, who plays for Assam, is a 26-year-old pacer with 132 wickets at an average of 28.2 across 40 first-class games.
It remains unclear as to why Akash Deep won’t play the Duleep Trophy, but he could possibly be carrying some niggles after the tiresome India vs England Tests. Akash Deep’s 10-wicket haul at Edgbaston was one of the standout moments in India’s tour, helping the team secure a much-needed win.
However, he struggled with form and fitness in the next two matches, taking just 3 wickets. At one point, Gill was heard asking him if he takes his injection at the Oval. However, he redeemed himself by playing an entertaining 66-run knock, that too, as a nightwatchman. Again playing a key role in India’s win at the Oval.
East Zone Squad for Duleep Trophy 2025
Ishan Kishan (c), Abhimanyu Easwaran (vc), Sandeep Patnaik, Virat Singh, Denish Das, Sridam Paul, Sharandeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra, Riyan Parag, Utkarsh Singh, Manishi, Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal, Mukesh Kumar, Mukhtar Hussain, Mohammed Shami. (Standbys: Aasirwad Swain, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Swastik Samal, Sudip Kr Gharami, Rahul Singh)
Duleep Trophy Schedule
- Quarterfinal 1: August 28-31, 2025: North Zone vs East Zone
- Quarterfinal 2: August 28-31, 2025: Central Zone vs NorthEast Zone
- Semifinal 1: September 4-7, 2025: South Zone vs Winner QF1
- Semifinal 2: September 4-7, 2025: North Zone vs Winner QF2
- Final: September 11-15, 2025: Winner SF 1 vs Winner SF 2
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