South Zone defies BCCI directive: Duleep Trophy squad excludes contracted stars
South Zone defies BCCI directive as their selectors have chosen not to include centrally contracted players in the Duleep Trophy 2025 squad. Big names like KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Sai Sudharsan, and Prasidh Krishna will not feature in the zonal side for the inter-zonal red-ball championship.
This bold move has sparked debate across Indian cricket, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had clearly instructed state associations to ensure contracted players participated in the domestic competition. However, South Zone officials have made it clear that they are standing firm with their July 26 squad announcement and will not be making changes. South Zone defies BCCI directive
Why South Zone defied the directive
South Zone officials argue that the Duleep Trophy should remain a platform for Ranji Trophy performers, not a tournament where India’s contracted players are parachuted in. They believe that national selectors and BCCI should instead make Ranji Trophy participation mandatory for contracted stars if the aim is to strengthen domestic cricket. South Zone defies BCCI directive
One South Zone official explained:
“Kerala reached the Ranji Trophy final for the first time in history and had a brilliant season. Their players deserve recognition and selection for the Duleep Trophy. If India stars are added, these hardworking domestic players will miss out. That goes against the spirit of this competition.”
Who made the squad
The 15-member South Zone squad includes a strong mix of players from different states:
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4 players from Kerala
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3 from Hyderabad
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2 each from Andhra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka
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1 each from Pondicherry and Goa
Full 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. South Zone defies BCCI directive
Leadership and coaching
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Tilak Varma has been appointed captain and is the only centrally contracted player in the side.
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Mohammed Azharuddeen will serve as vice-captain and wicketkeeper.
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Lakshmipathy Balaji has been named as the head coach, bringing his vast experience to the team setup.
BCCI vs South Zone – The bigger debate
The BCCI had issued its advisory over a month ago, instructing zonal selectors to ensure contracted players took part in the Duleep Trophy (August 28–September 15, Bengaluru). Other zones followed the directive:
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Central Zone: Kuldeep Yadav, Rajat Patidar, Dhruv Jurel
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East Zone: Mohammed Shami, Mukesh Kumar, Ishan Kishan, Akash Deep
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West Zone: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan
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North Zone: Shubman Gill, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana
But South Zone has stood apart. They passed a formal resolution during their selection meeting, recording their decision to field only domestic performers.
This sets up a direct clash of philosophy between BCCI’s national vision and South Zone’s commitment to local performers. South Zone defies BCCI directive
Why this matters for Ranji players
For many domestic cricketers, the Duleep Trophy is the stepping stone to higher opportunities like India A or even the senior national team. If India’s regular stars dominate the squad, consistent Ranji performers often get overlooked. South Zone defies BCCI directive
By refusing to include KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, and Mohammed Siraj, the South Zone has opened up space for players from states like Kerala, Hyderabad, and Andhra to shine. For instance, Kerala’s cricketing rise has been rewarded with four players in the squad, something that might not have happened if India stars were included.
South Zone’s Duleep Trophy campaign
As the runners-up of the previous edition, South Zone has earned a direct entry into the semifinals, which start on September 4. This gives them extra preparation time compared to other zones battling it out from the quarterfinals. South Zone defies BCCI directive
However, logistical arrangements such as travel and accommodation have already been finalized, which makes last-minute changes nearly impossible. Officials also hinted that they see no reason to alter their decision, even though BCCI might not be happy. South Zone defies BCCI directive
Comparison with other zones
While South Zone resisted, others complied:
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East Zone picked senior pros like Shami and Ishan Kishan.
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West Zone included rising stars Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan.
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North Zone went with Gill and Arshdeep Singh (though Gill is now likely to miss due to illness).
This shows a clear split in approach: some zones see Duleep Trophy as a platform for elite contracted stars, while South Zone insists it must remain about rewarding Ranji achievements.
What this means for Indian cricket
The larger debate is about the balance between domestic performers and national stars in domestic tournaments. South Zone’s stand could spark wider discussions on how contracted players should engage with Indian domestic cricket. South Zone defies BCCI directive
Should tournaments like the Duleep Trophy prioritize giving exposure to Ranji stars? Or should they serve as warm-up events for established India players? South Zone defies BCCI directive
South Zone has chosen the former, setting a precedent that might influence future seasons.
In the end, South Zone defies BCCI directive and makes a bold statement: domestic cricket should reward those who perform consistently in the Ranji Trophy. By leaving out contracted stars like KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Sai Sudharsan, and Prasidh Krishna, the selectors have backed emerging players from Kerala, Hyderabad, Andhra, and other states. South Zone defies BCCI directive
As the semifinals approach, fans will watch closely to see if South Zone’s gamble pays off. Whether they win or lose, their decision has already ignited an important conversation about the future of Indian domestic cricket.
