Duleep Trophy 2025: Ishan Kishan to lead East Zone as Mohammed Shami returns to the squad

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India’s domestic cricket calendar is set to kick off with the prestigious Duleep Trophy on August 28, marking the return of the zonal format. In a significant development for the East Zone, dynamic wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been named captain, while experienced pacer Mohammed Shami makes a notable return to the squad. The selectors have also placed promising youngster Vaibhav Suryavanshi on the standby list, signaling a blend of experience and emerging talent for the upcoming tournament.

Ishan Kishan’s appointment as East Zone captain comes after a period of absence from national duties. The aggressive left-hander was not considered for the recent tour of England, with the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee opting for Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel as wicketkeeping options. There were considerations to send Kishan to England for the fifth Test following Pant’s injury; however, a fall from scooty unfortunately sidelined him, preventing his travel. In his stead, Narayan Jagadeesan was brought into the national squad as Pant’s replacement, though he did not feature in the Playing XI. Kishan’s return to competitive cricket as captain of the East Zone will be closely watched, as he looks to re-establish his form and stake a claim for future national selections. His leadership will be crucial in guiding a strong East Zone contingent through the challenging zonal competition.

Adding significant firepower to the East Zone bowling arsenal, veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami has been included in the squad. Shami, who was also overlooked for the England tour, brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record to the domestic circuit. His presence will undoubtedly be a massive boost for the East Zone, providing mentorship and a potent attacking option with the new and old ball.

The East Zone squad is further strengthened by the inclusion of several other prominent names. Pacer Akash Deep, all-rounder Riyan Parag and fellow fast bowler Mukesh Kumar, all of whom have had stints with the national team or impressed in recent domestic seasons, are key components. Additionally, prolific top-order batter Abhimanyu Easwaran has been named vice-captain, offering stability and experience at the top of the order.

Also READ: West Zone announce squad for Duleep Trophy 2025; Shardul Thakur named captain

East Zone is set to kick off its Duleep Trophy campaign with a knockout fixture against North Zone. This clash is scheduled to take place from August 28 to August 31, with all matches of the tournament being held in Bengaluru, providing a neutral and high-quality venue for the domestic season opener.

Ishan Kishan (captain), Abhimanyu Easwaran (vice-captain), Sandeep Patnaik, Virat Singh, Denish Das, Sridam Paul, Sharandeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra, Riyan Parag, Utkarsh Singh, Manishi, Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, Mohammed Shami

Standbys: Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Mukhtar Hussain, Aasirwad Swain, Swastik Samal, Sudip Kumar Gharami, Rahul Singh

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