Shreyas Iyer and Shardul Thakur are set to take center stage as West Zone gear up for their Duleep Trophy 2025 semifinal clash against Central Zone. With India’s home Test series against the West Indies on the horizon, players know that every opportunity should be grabbed with both hands. Both Iyer and Thakur have been integral parts of the national team, and would be dying to make comebacks once again.
Shreyas Iyer doesn’t deserve more snubs
Despite racking up runs across formats, Shreyas Iyer finds himself on the outside of India’s Test squad, a decision that continues to baffle many. In the most recent Ranji season, Iyer hammered 480 runs in seven innings, averaging close to 69.
He was equally dominant in white-ball cricket, and over the last two IPL seasons, his tally touched 955 runs as both captain and batter, leading his sides to consecutive finals. In fact, he won the IPL 2024 with KKR. Still, he was snubbed from India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad. Also, the man himself admitted that he wasn’t the first pick in the ODIs when the run to the ODI Champions Trophy began.
The numbers make the exclusion all the more perplexing. India’s last Test series saw untested names like Karun Nair and Sai Sudharsan given a long rope at No. 3 and No. 6, but neither cemented their place, leaving those positions wide open. With Sarfaraz Khan unfortunately unavailable and others out due to national duty, Iyer’s biggest pitch for a recall could come right now in the Duleep Trophy.
He’s long established his value as one of India’s finest players of spin at home, a trait that will be essential when the West Indies arrive. Big runs now will only turn up the heat on the selectors to bring him back into the Indian dressing room.
Shardul Thakur eyes redemption
Shardul Thakur has been thrust into the spotlight, not just with the ball and bat, but now as a leader. His last Test series against England was underwhelming, and he’ll be eager to put those struggles behind him with a string of all-round efforts for West Zone.
Thakur’s domestic pedigree is robust: he’s been a linchpin for Mumbai, racking up over 300 first-class wickets and, crucially, 505 runs last season in the lower-middle order. Now appointed captain for both the West Zone in the Duleep Trophy and Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy, Thakur has an opportunity to stamp his authority and re-establish his credentials as an all-rounder India can’t ignore.
With neither Sai Sudharsan nor Karun Nair in the Duleep Trophy, and with several other top domestic contenders away or injured, the door is wide open for performances to influence selectors ahead of the West Indies series.
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