India’s Test skipper Shubman Gill is set to begin the domestic season on a high note as he has been named captain of the North Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy 2025. The tournament, which will mark the start of India’s red-ball domestic calendar, will follow a zonal format this year. Gill’s appointment comes on the heels of a stellar Test series in England, where he was awarded Player of the Series by both England and his former Kolkata Knight Riders coach, Brendon McCullum.
New Zonal Selection Format Introduced
For the 2025 Duleep Trophy, each participating zone will have its own selection panel, distinct from the BCCI’s national selection committee headed by Ajit Agarkar. Each state has nominated one selector to represent them in forming the zonal squad. This new approach aims to decentralize talent scouting and provide more opportunities to domestic players across zones.
Alongside Gill, the North Zone squad features several India-capped players such as Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Anshul Kamboj. However, the BCCI has already announced replacement players should any of them be selected for India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad. If Gill is called up, Shubham Rohilla will step in as captain; Gurnoor Brar will replace Arshdeep, and Anuj Tharakan will take Rana’s spot.
Strong Representation from J&K and Haryana
The team boasts a balanced mix of youth and experience. Ankit Kumar from Haryana has been named vice-captain. He had an impressive Ranji Trophy season last year, scoring 574 runs at an average of 59. Another promising Haryana player, all-rounder Nishant Sindhu, is also part of the main squad.
Jammu & Kashmir has a notable presence in the squad with five players overall. Opener Shubham Khajuria and pacer Auqib Nabi are part of the main 15-member squad, while three more players from the region—Abid Mushtaq, Umar Nazir, and Jaskaranvir Singh Paul—feature in the standby list.
The Duleep Trophy will serve as a key platform for players to stake their claim in the longer format, especially with India’s domestic structure continuing to prioritize red-ball excellence.
North Zone Squad for Duleep Trophy 2025
Main Squad:
Shubman Gill (Captain), Auqib Nabi, Kanhaiya Wadhawan (wk), Shubham Khajuria, Yash Dhull, Ankit Kalsi, Nishant Sindhu, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Arshdeep Singh, Ankit Kumar (Vice-Captain), Harshit Rana, Anshul Kamboj, Ayush Badoni, Sahil Lotra, Mayank Dagar
Standby Players:
Shubham Arora, Nishunk Birla, Ravi Chauhan, Abid Mushtaq, Jaskaranvir Singh Paul, Umar Nazir, Divesh Sharma
Replacements if picked for Asia Cup:
- Shubham Rohilla for Shubman Gill
- Gurnoor Brar for Arshdeep Singh
- Anuj Tharakan for Harshit Rana
With a strong leadership group and a blend of emerging and experienced cricketers, North Zone will be one of the teams to watch as the Duleep Trophy 2025 unfolds.
