The Duleep Trophy semifinals are set to kick off, with all eyes on star players like Shreyas Iyer and Devdutt Padikkal, who are looking to make a strong case for a national team comeback. Both players, having missed out on the Asia Cup squad, will be the main attractions in their respective teams as they aim to prove their worth to the selectors. The tournament serves as a crucial platform for players to showcase their form ahead of a packed international season.
In the first semifinal, West Zone, which received a direct entry into the last four, will take on a confident Central Zone. The West Zone lineup is headlined by Shreyas Iyer, who will be making his first competitive appearance since leading Punjab Kings in the 2025 IPL final. He will be joined by young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, another player looking to pile on runs after not making the cut for the Asia Cup. West Zone will be wary of the Central Zone's strong batting unit, which includes Rajat Patidar, Shubham Sharma, and Danish Malewar, all of whom registered big scores in their quarterfinal match.
The second semifinal will see South Zone face North Zone. The South Zone batting unit is a mix of established and emerging talent, led by Devdutt Padikkal and N. Jagadeesan. They will also have the support of players like Mohammed Azharuddeen and Salman Nizar. The team will be banking on its bowlers to contain a strong North Zone batting lineup that includes Ankit Kumar, Ayush Badoni, and Yash Dhull, all of whom performed well in the previous round.
Both teams will have to deal with key absences due to injuries and national team call-ups. Central Zone will be without spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who is on national duty, while South and North Zones will also miss some of their key players. One notable player to watch will be Auqib Nabi, a North Zone fast bowler who took four wickets in four balls in the previous round, and will look to pose a threat with the new ball.
For many of these players, the Duleep Trophy is more than just a domestic tournament; it's a chance at redemption and a path back to the national squad. The performances in these semifinals could very well influence selection decisions for the upcoming series against West Indies, South Africa, and Australia. The stakes are high, and the competition is expected to be fierce as players fight for their places in the national spotlight.
