Duleep Trophy 2026-27: Squads Finalized, Central Zone and West Zone Pre-Qualified for Semifinals
The Duleep Trophy, India’s premier domestic first-class cricket competition, is set to kick off the 2026-27 domestic season with all six zonal teams finalizing their squads. Named after the legendary cricketer Duleepsinhji, the tournament has been a cornerstone of Indian cricket since its inception in 1961-62, typically featuring teams representing various geographical zones. This year, the competition will see Central Zone and West Zone pre-qualified to the semifinals, while the remaining four zonal teams—East Zone, North Zone, North East Zone, and South Zone—will battle it out in two quarterfinal matches to start the tournament.
Key Squad Highlights: The squads boast a mix of experienced internationals and promising domestic talents. Central Zone will be led by Rajat Patidar, with notable players like Kuldeep Yadav and Deepak Chahar in the ranks. East Zone features Abhimanyu Easwaran as captain, alongside the explosive Ishan Kishan and pace spearhead Mohammed Shami. North Zone, captained by Ankit Kumar, includes star batsman Shubman Gill and fast bowler Arshdeep Singh. North East Zone, led by Rongsen Jonathan, will look to make an impact with a relatively young squad. South Zone, captained by Mohammed Azharuddeen, includes the talented Tilak Varma and Devdutt Padikkal. West Zone, led by Dhruv Jurel, features the experienced Khaleel Ahmed and the in-form Yash Rathod.
The tournament format sees the quarterfinals and semifinals scheduled to be held in Bengaluru, with the final set for September 6, 2026. The first quarterfinal between North Zone and West Zone has already concluded, with West Zone emerging victorious. The upcoming matches promise intense competition as teams vie for the prestigious title. West Zone remains the most successful team in Duleep Trophy history with 19 titles, while Central Zone, the current champion, will aim to defend their seventh title. With a blend of youth and experience, the 2026-27 Duleep Trophy is set to provide a thrilling start to the domestic cricket calendar.
Shimanta Das 
