Shubman Gill to Captain North Zone in Duleep Trophy 2025

New Delhi, Aug 7 (PTI) Indian Test skipper Shubman Gill has been appointed captain of the North Zone squad for the upcoming Duleep Trophy, set to commence on August 28. This decision comes less than three weeks after he successfully led a young Indian team to a thrilling 2-2 draw against England in a challenging five-Test series.

The 24-year-old opener, who stepped into the role of Test captain following the retirements of key figures Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin, emerged as a standout performer during the England tour. Gill led from the front, amassing 754 runs in the series, which ranks as the second-highest aggregate by an Indian in a single Test series, only trailing Sunil Gavaskar’s 774 runs against the West Indies in 1971. His efforts played a crucial role in leveling the series 2-2 for the prestigious Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

As North Zone skipper, Gill will return to domestic cricket soon after the demanding England tour, which concluded on August 4. North Zone will face East Zone in their Duleep Trophy opener on August 28, with the final slated for September 11. This schedule overlaps with India's Asia Cup campaign, beginning on September 10 in the UAE.

India's Asia Cup campaign kicks off against the UAE in Dubai on September 10, followed by a high-profile match against Pakistan on September 14. In the event Gill or his teammates Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana are selected for the national squad for the Asia Cup or concurrent series, the selectors have named Shubman Rohilla (SSCB), Gurnoor Brar, and Anul Thakral as backups.

Gill will lead a 15-member squad featuring notable players such as India left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Anshul Kamboj, who made his Test debut in the fourth Test against England. Though part of the squad, Arshdeep did not feature in the playing XI during the England series.

The Duleep Trophy will mark the beginning of the 2025-26 Indian domestic season, returning to its traditional zonal format.

North Zone Squad: Shubman Gill (captain; PCA), Ankit Kumar (vice-captain, HCA), Shubham Khajuria (JKCA), Ayush Badoni (DDCA), Yash Dhull (DDCA), Ankit Kalsi (HPCA), Nishant Sindhu (HCA), Sahil Lotra (JKCA), Mayank Dagar (HPCA), Yudhvir Singh Charak (JKCA), Arshdeep Singh (PCA), Harshit Rana (DDCA), Anshul Kamboj (HCA), Auqib Nabi (JKCA), Kanhaiya Wadhawan (wicketkeeper; JKCA).

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