South Zone Snubs BCCI Directive, Excludes Contracted Stars from Duleep Trophy Squad

In a significant development ahead of the 2025 Duleep Trophy, the South Zone selectors have defied the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) directive to include centrally contracted players in their squad. Despite clear instructions from the board issued over a month ago, the zonal selection committee has opted to stick with its original 15-member squad announced on July 26 — a list that notably excludes prominent names like KL Rahul, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Sai Sudharsan, and Prasidh Krishna.

With the semifinal berth already secured due to their runners-up finish in the previous edition, South Zone appear steadfast in their stance. Skipper Tilak Varma remains the sole centrally contracted player in the team, with the remaining selections based purely on domestic performances.

According to a senior South Zone official, the selectors believe that the Duleep Trophy should remain a platform for Ranji Trophy performers rather than a stage for established India players. "Kerala made history by reaching the Ranji final for the first time in 90 years. Their players deserved recognition. If national stars are brought in, many of these deserving names will be sidelined," the official said.

Indeed, Kerala has the highest representation in the squad with four players, followed by three from Hyderabad, two each from Andhra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, and one each from Pondicherry and Goa. The selection meeting reportedly included a resolution to prioritize domestic performers, with the decision formally recorded in the committee’s minutes.

Zonal authorities further argue that the BCCI should, instead, consider making Ranji Trophy participation mandatory for contracted players, and reserve national stars for India A matches. They assert that zonal teams should be managed independently of national selectors' influence.

The BCCI, however, has seen its directive implemented in other zones. Central Zone included Kuldeep Yadav, Rajat Patidar, and Dhruv Jurel; East Zone named Mohammed Shami, Mukesh Kumar, Ishan Kishan, and Akash Deep; West Zone selected Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, and Sarfaraz Khan; while North Zone picked Shubman Gill, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana. Gill, however, is expected to miss the tournament due to illness, with more withdrawals possible closer to the tournament start.

Despite speculation that South Zone might relent ahead of their semifinal clash beginning September 4 in Bengaluru, zonal officials maintain that changes are unlikely, especially with travel and accommodation already finalized. The team will be coached by former India pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji.

South Zone Squad: Tilak Varma (captain), Mohammed Azharuddeen (vice-captain, wk), Tanmay Agarwal, Devdutt Padikkal, Mohit Kale, Salman Nizar, N Jagadeesan (wk), T Vijay, R Sai Kishore, Tanay Thyagarajan, Vyshak Vijaykumar, MD Nidheesh, Ricky Bhui, Basil NP, Gurjapneet Singh, Snehal Kauthankar.