Following his remarkable 754-run haul in the recent England Test series, Shubman Gill has chosen to lead North Zone in the upcoming Duleep Trophy. His decision highlights a strong commitment to domestic cricket, especially after a demanding international tour.
The postponement of India’s Bangladesh tour and the BCCI’s cancellation of the white-ball series against Sri Lanka created an opening. Top Indian players now have the chance to focus on domestic competitions. Gill’s participation sends a clear signal of his dedication to strengthening India’s cricketing structure.
Sunil Gavaskar Praises Gill’s Return to Domestic Cricket
In his Sportstar column, Sunil Gavaskar applauded Gill for prioritizing the domestic game. “Shubman Gill, captaining the North Zone team, is a massive shot in the arm for this tournament,” Gavaskar wrote. “By being available, the Indian skipper is sending the right signal to other team members.”
He also praised the BCCI for putting domestic cricket first. “It was good, therefore, to see that after the tour to Bangladesh was postponed to next year, the BCCI resisted the pressure to send a team for a white-ball series to Sri Lanka,” Gavaskar noted. “By doing that, the BCCI have prioritised domestic cricket.”
Gill’s Decision Reflects Long-Term Vision
The BCCI’s move to lighten the international schedule has enabled key players to appear in the Duleep Trophy. While many fast bowlers are resting after the tough England series, Gill’s choice to play shows his long-term focus.
“It would have been understandable if, after a gruelling tour where five Tests were crammed into just over six weeks, he had opted to rest,” Gavaskar added. “The fast bowlers not playing is good thinking. It has been an unusually hot summer in England due to global warming, and their energies were fully spent after the long spells they bowled.”
Gill’s Historic England Series Performance
Gill scored 754 runs in five Tests—the second-highest tally by an Indian in a single series. Only Sunil Gavaskar’s 774 runs in 1971 stand above. Gill’s performance was vital in India drawing the series 2-2. He stepped up as the new leader after the retirement of veterans Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin.
A Strong North Zone Squad Under Gill
North Zone has a well-balanced squad that mixes youth with experience. Gill leads a team that includes left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, seamer Harshit Rana, and all-rounder Anshul Kamboj, who recently debuted against England.
Jammu and Kashmir contribute five players, including opener Shubham Khajuria and fast bowler Auqib Nabi. Nabi was the second-highest wicket-taker in the last Ranji Trophy season, taking 44 wickets at an average of 13.93.
Ankit Kumar, Haryana’s top scorer in the 2024–25 Ranji season, has been named vice-captain. Delhi players Yash Dhull, Ayush Badoni, and Harshit Rana bring valuable IPL experience and youthful energy to the squad.
Duleep Trophy: The Start of a New Domestic Season
The Duleep Trophy officially opens the 2025–26 domestic season. The return of the classic zonal format adds weight to the tournament. Shubman Gill’s presence as captain underlines the competition’s renewed importance in shaping the future of Indian cricket.
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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