India cricket team all-rounder Shardul Thakur is all set to lead the West Zone in the upcoming Duleep Trophy 2025. The domestic red-ball tournament is scheduled to begin from August 28. Thakur will reportedly lead the team in the absence of veterans like Ajinkya Rahane or Shreyas Iyer.
Shardul > Shreyas Iyer, Rahane
As per The Indian Express, Shardul will lead the West Zone, as per the decision of the selection committee. The report claims that Shreyas Iyer was not picked as captain as he is bound to be included in India’s Asia Cup squad, as the tournament is scheduled to be played from September 9 onwards. Apart from Shardul, Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian are also said to be included in the West Zone.
Thakur, who has been instrumental in Mumbai’s Ranji success with his lower-order batting and knack for breakthroughs, will instead lead the side.
Unlike Iyer, Thakur is in England currently, taking part in Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. However, he didn’t have a great series, failing to contribute with either bat or ball.
“Iyer has informed us that he is available to play in the Duleep Trophy. Other players like Sarfaraz, Shivam Dubey and Tushar Deshpande have confirmed their availability,” a source in the MCA told Indian Express earlier this day.
As per reports, Ajinkya Rahane – who is Mumbai’s red-ball skipper, has been left out of the squad. Shreyas Iyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan are among the 15 selected players.
Other star players in the squad are Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Tushar Deshpande among others.
West Zone squad
Shardul Thakur (Capt), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Aarya Desai, Harvik Desai (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Jaymeet Patel, Manan Hingrajia, Saurabh Nawale (wk), Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Dharmendra Jadeja, Tushar Deshpande, Arzan Nagwaswala
