Ankit Sharma and Shaik Rasheed Added to South Zone Squad for Duleep Trophy Semi-Final

Ankit Sharma and Shaik Rasheed Added to South Zone Squad for Duleep Trophy Semi-Final

Puducherry allrounder Ankit Sharma and Andhra batter Shaik Rasheed have been called up to the South Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy 2025-26 semi-final, set to begin on September 4 at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. The duo replaces Tilak Varma and R Sai Kishore, both of whom have been ruled out of the tournament.

Tilak, originally named captain of the South Zone squad, is unavailable due to his selection in India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad. In his absence, Kerala wicketkeeper-batter Mohammed Azharuddeen, previously named vice-captain, will now lead the side. Narayan Jagadeesan of Tamil Nadu, who recently featured in the fifth Test of the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy, has been appointed vice-captain.

Sai Kishore, on the other hand, has not recovered from a finger injury sustained while attempting to stop a straight drive from M Shahrukh Khan during a first-division club match in Chennai. The injury had also ruled him out of the pre-season Buchi Babu tournament.

New Additions

  • Ankit Sharma, 34, was one of Puducherry's standout performers in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season, finishing as their second-highest wicket-taker with 24 wickets in seven matches at an average of 28.95. He also contributed 216 runs at 24.00 with the bat.

  • Shaik Rasheed, 20, had an impressive domestic season for Andhra, amassing 627 runs in 12 innings at an average of 52.25, including a double-century against Hyderabad. He was also part of Chennai Super Kings’ squad in the IPL 2025.

Both players were originally named in the South Zone’s stand-by list and now make it to the main squad ahead of the crucial knockout clash.

Upcoming Fixtures

South Zone will face North Zone in the semi-final after the latter advanced on a first-innings lead against East Zone in their quarter-final encounter. In the other semi-final, Central Zone will take on West Zone.

South Zone Squad:

  • Mohammed Azharuddeen (Captain & WK)

  • Tanmay Agarwal

  • Shaik Rasheed

  • Devdutt Padikkal

  • Mohit Kale

  • Salman Nizar

  • Narayan Jagadeesan (Vice-Captain & WK)

  • T Vijay

  • Ankit Sharma

  • Tanay Thyagarajan

  • Vyshak Vijaykumar

  • MD Nidheesh

  • Ricky Bhui

  • Basil NP

  • Gurjapneet Singh

  • Snehal Kauthankar

The Duleep Trophy continues to serve as a critical platform for players eyeing higher honours, and this reshuffled South Zone squad will be looking to make a strong push for a place in the final.