Overview

• Selectors confirmed on July 27 that Tilak Varma will captain South Zone in the upcoming Duleep Trophy.
• Kerala batter Mohammed Azharuddeen was appointed vice-captain after his strong showing in the Ranji Trophy knockouts.
• The finalized 16-player roster includes internationals Devdutt Padikkal, Narayan Jagadeesan and R Sai Kishore alongside promising newcomers.
• Tamil Nadu’s Sai Sudharsan, currently touring England with the Indian team, was omitted from the squad.
• The competition returns to its traditional six-zonal format and will begin at Bengaluru’s BCCI Centre of Excellence on August 28, with South Zone entering directly into the semifinals.