Shubman Gill to Lead North Zone in Duleep Trophy 2025-26; Asia Cup Selections May Prompt Key Changes

Shubman Gill to Lead North Zone in Duleep Trophy 2025-26; Asia Cup Selections May Prompt Key Changes

India's Test captain Shubman Gill will lead North Zone in the upcoming 2025-26 Duleep Trophy, set to kick off the Indian domestic season in Bengaluru from August 28. The tournament marks a return to the traditional zonal format after last year’s one-off team-based structure.

Gill, who recently led India in the England-India Test series, described the experience as a "great learning curve," and now gears up to spearhead North Zone’s campaign in the prestigious tournament.

The North Zone squad features several high-profile names including seamers Anshul Kamboj and Arshdeep Singh, both of whom were part of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Harshit Rana, who debuted in the 2024 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, adds further firepower to the seam attack.

However, the squad could undergo key changes if any of the senior players—Gill, Arshdeep, or Rana—are selected for India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2025, which runs from September 9 to 28 and overlaps with the Duleep Trophy (August 28 – September 15). In such a scenario, Shubham Rohilla will replace Gill, Gurnoor Brar will come in for Arshdeep, and Anuj Thakral will take Harshit's place.

Haryana batter Ankit Kumar, who was the state's top scorer in the last Ranji Trophy season with 574 runs at an average of nearly 59, has been named vice-captain. His teammate, left-arm spin-bowling allrounder Nishant Sindhu, also earned a spot in the squad.

Delhi is represented by just three players: Harshit Rana, former India Under-19 captain Yash Dhull, and allrounder Ayush Badoni—all of whom are currently competing in the second season of the Delhi Premier League T20.

Jammu & Kashmir has a strong presence with five players, including opener Shubham Khajuria and seamer Auqib Nabi. Nabi had an outstanding 2024-25 Ranji season, finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker with 44 scalps in eight matches at an impressive average of 13.93.

Other notable inclusions are Sahil Lotra, Mayank Dagar, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Anshul Kamboj, and Kanhaiya Wadhawan, who will also don the wicketkeeping gloves.

The tournament's opening match will see North Zone take on East Zone at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

North Zone Squad for Duleep Trophy 2025-26:

  • Shubman Gill (Captain)

  • Shubham Khajuria

  • Ankit Kumar (Vice-captain)

  • Ayush Badoni

  • Yash Dhull

  • Ankit Kalsi

  • Nishant Sindhu

  • Sahil Lotra

  • Mayank Dagar

  • Yudhvir Singh Charak

  • Arshdeep Singh

  • Harshit Rana

  • Anshul Kamboj

  • Auqib Nabi

  • Kanhaiya Wadhawan (wk)

Replacements (if selected for Asia Cup):

  • Shubham Rohilla (for Gill)

  • Gurnoor Brar (for Arshdeep)

  • Anuj Thakral (for Harshit)

Stand-bys:
Shubham Arora, Jaskaranvir Singh Paul, Ravi Chauhan, Abid Mushtaq, Nishunk Birla, Umar Nazir, Divesh Sharma

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