South Zone will enter the Duleep Trophy 2025 final with a reshuffled squad, forced to make two major changes ahead of their much-anticipated clash against Central Zone starting September 11 at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru.
In a significant setback, the team will be without star batters N Jagadeesan and Devdutt Padikkal, both of whom have been called up to the India A squad for the Australia A series beginning August 16. Their absence robs South Zone of two in-form top-order players who were instrumental in the semifinal against North Zone.
Jagadeesan, who was adjudged Player of the Match in the semifinal, delivered a stellar performance with scores of 197 and an unbeaten 52 across the two innings. His dominant knock in the first innings laid the foundation for South Zone’s 175-run lead, which eventually secured their place in the final after the match ended in a draw.
Padikkal, batting at No.3, also impressed with a composed 57 in the first innings and followed it up with a steady 16 not out in the second. He finished as the second-highest run-scorer for South Zone in that match, reinforcing the solidity of their top order.
To fill the void left by Jagadeesan and Padikkal, selectors have drafted in Andre Siddarth and Smaran Ravichandran, both of whom were standby players during the semifinal. Siddarth, representing Tamil Nadu, had a prolific Ranji Trophy 2024/25 season, amassing 612 runs at an average of 68, which included five half-centuries and a hundred.
Meanwhile, Smaran was Karnataka’s leading run-scorer, tallying 516 runs at an average of 64.50 in 10 innings, highlighted by two centuries. Both players are expected to slot directly into the playing XI for the final, bringing strong domestic form and confidence into the side.
Additionally, wicketkeeper-batter Ajay Rohera (Puducherry) and Hyderabad pacer Aniketh Reddy have been named as standby players for the final. Rohera impressed with 383 runs at an average of 47.87 in the Ranji Trophy season, while Reddy took 29 wickets at 26.72, including three five-wicket hauls.
Despite the key omissions, South Zone still boast a balanced unit led by captain Azharuddin and vice-captain Ricky Bhui. With new faces stepping in and the title on the line, the final promises to be a gripping contest.
