Mohammed Shami has been named in the East Zone squad for the 2025-26 Duleep Trophy, signaling a pivotal moment in the veteran fast bowler’s career. This selection represents more than just a return to domestic cricket—it’s the beginning of what could be a crucial pathway back to the Indian national team for the 34-year-old Bengal pacer.
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The Comeback Trail: Mohammed Shami’s Journey Back to Red-Ball Cricket
Shami’s last first-class game was for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy in November 2024, which was his only red-ball outing since his last Test match for India – the World Test Championship final in June 2023. The gap in red-ball cricket has been significant, making this Duleep Trophy selection all the more important for the seasoned campaigner.
The fast bowler’s recent performances have been mixed. Shami was last in action in IPL 2025, where he picked up six wickets in nine matches for his new team Sunrisers Hyderabad. While the wicket tally wasn’t spectacular, his presence in the East Zone squad suggests the selectors believe in his ability to make a meaningful contribution to the tournament.
East Zone Squad Composition and Leadership
Ishan Kishan, who scored two half-centuries in two innings for Nottinghamshire in the ongoing County Championship Division One, was named captain of the 15-member squad. This appointment comes as Kishan continues his impressive form in English conditions, bringing valuable leadership experience to the East Zone setup.
Abhimanyu Easwaran, part of India’s Test squad in England, was named vice-captain, adding further depth to the leadership group. The squad also includes promising talents like Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar, and Riyan Parag, creating a blend of experience and youth.
Squad Analysis and Key Players
East Zone Squad Breakdown
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Captain | Ishan Kishan |
| Vice-Captain | Abhimanyu Easwaran |
| Top-Order Batsmen | Sandeep Patnaik, Virat Singh, Denish Das |
| Middle-Order | Sridam Paul, Sharandeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra |
| All-Rounders | Riyan Parag, Utkarsh Singh |
| Spinners | Manishi |
| Fast Bowlers | Mohammed Shami, Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar, Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal |
Notable Inclusions and Omissions
The selection committee made some interesting choices. There was no place in the East Zone squad for Sudip Chatterjee, Bengal’s leading run-getter in last season’s Ranji Trophy, while Sudip Kumar Gharami, their second highest run-getter, was part of the standbys.
Virat Singh and Sharandeep Singh, Jharkhand’s top two run-scorers in the previous Ranji Trophy, were part of the squad, as well as left-arm spinner Manishi, who took 22 wickets in seven matches.
The Duleep Trophy Format and East Zone’s Campaign
The six-team Duleep Trophy will be played in the zonal format with zonal selectors – and not national selectors – picking the squads. This format change emphasizes regional representation and provides opportunities for players to showcase their talents on a familiar platform.
The Duleep Trophy was last played in the zonal format in 2023-24, when South Zone won the tournament. East Zone will be looking to improve on their previous performance, with Mohammed Shami’s experience potentially being a game-changing factor.
Tournament Schedule and Fixtures
East Zone will play the domestic season’s opening game against North Zone from August 28 at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. This opening fixture will be crucial for setting the tone of East Zone’s campaign and will provide Mohammed Shami with his first opportunity to showcase his form in red-ball cricket after an extended break.
Selection Committee and Decision-Making Process
The East Zone squad was selected by Bengal’s Alokendu Lahiri, Odisha’s Abakash Khatua, Bihar’s Sunil Kumar Singh, Jharkhand’s Manish Wardhan, Assam’s Sumit Ranjah Das and Tripura’s Upananda Debbarma, with Jharkhand State Cricket Association secretary Saurabh Tiwary convening the meeting.
This diverse selection panel represents the various states within the East Zone, ensuring balanced representation and regional expertise in team selection.
Rising Stars and Future Prospects
The squad also features some exciting young talent. Fourteen-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who struck the fastest century in Youth ODIs on India Under-19’s tour of England last month, was among the six standbys. While not in the main squad, his inclusion in the standbys highlights the promising pipeline of talent in the East Zone.
Mohammed Shami’s Road to International Comeback
For Mohammed Shami, this Duleep Trophy represents more than just domestic cricket participation. After missing out on recent international assignments, including the England tour, this tournament could serve as his pathway back to the Indian team. His experience and skill set make him a valuable asset for any team, and a strong performance in the Duleep Trophy could reignite discussions about his international future.
The veteran pacer’s inclusion demonstrates the faith selectors have in his abilities despite his recent limited red-ball exposure. His proven track record in international cricket, combined with his local knowledge and experience, makes him a formidable addition to the East Zone bowling attack.
Impact on Team Dynamics
Mohammed Shami’s presence in the squad brings several advantages:
Leadership and Experience: His vast international experience will be invaluable for younger players in the squad.
Bowling Depth: Along with Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar, Shami provides East Zone with a formidable pace attack.
Mentorship Role: His guidance could be crucial for emerging fast bowlers in the squad.
Match-Winning Ability: Shami’s proven track record of taking crucial wickets in pressure situations could be game-changing.
Complete Squad List
Main Squad (15 players)
- Ishan Kishan (Captain)
- Abhimanyu Easwaran (Vice-Captain)
- Sandeep Patnaik
- Virat Singh
- Denish Das
- Sridam Paul
- Sharandeep Singh
- Kumar Kushagra
- Riyan Parag
- Utkarsh Singh
- Manishi
- Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal
- Mukesh Kumar
- Akash Deep
- Mohammed Shami
Standbys (6 players)
- Mukhtar Hussain
- Aasirwad Swain
- Vaibhav Suryavanshi
- Swastik Samal
- Sudip Kumar Gharami
- Rahul Singh
Mohammed Shami’s selection for the East Zone squad in the Duleep Trophy marks a significant milestone in his comeback journey. With his wealth of experience and proven abilities, he brings invaluable depth to the squad. Under Ishan Kishan’s captaincy and with strong support from players like Abhimanyu Easwaran and Akash Deep, East Zone appears well-equipped to make a strong impression in the tournament.
The upcoming matches will be closely watched by cricket enthusiasts and selectors alike, as Mohammed Shami looks to demonstrate his readiness for higher honors. His performance in this tournament could very well determine his future prospects with the Indian national team, making every delivery and every wicket potentially crucial for his career trajectory.
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FAQs
When does Mohammed Shami’s Duleep Trophy campaign begin?
Mohammed Shami will begin his Duleep Trophy campaign with East Zone’s opening match against North Zone from August 28, 2025, at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Who is captaining the East Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy?
Ishan Kishan has been appointed as the captain of the East Zone squad, with Abhimanyu Easwaran serving as vice-captain.
When did Mohammed Shami last play red-ball cricket?
Mohammed Shami last played first-class cricket for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy in November 2024, which was his only red-ball outing since the World Test Championship final in June 2023.
Which other prominent players are in the East Zone squad?
The squad includes several notable players such as Abhimanyu Easwaran, Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar, Riyan Parag, and promising talents like Virat Singh and Sharandeep Singh.
What format will the 2025-26 Duleep Trophy follow?
The 2025-26 Duleep Trophy will be played in the traditional zonal format with six teams, where zonal selectors (not national selectors) pick the squads. South Zone won the tournament when it was last played in this format in 2023-24.
