Mohammed Shami Returns: East Zone Squad Duleep Trophy 2025-26 Details
Mohammed Shami's Big Comeback: Star Pacer Returns to Red-Ball Cricket with East Zone Squad
The cricket world is buzzing with excitement as India's premier fast bowler Mohammed Shami makes his much-awaited return to domestic red-ball cricket. The veteran seamer has been selected for the East Zone squad in the upcoming Duleep Trophy 2025-26, marking a significant step in his journey back to Test cricket.
Shami Ready to Lead East Zone's Bowling Attack
At 34 years old, Mohammed Shami brings a wealth of experience to the East Zone team. The right-arm fast bowler will be the spearhead of an impressive bowling lineup that includes other talented seamers like Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar. This selection comes as great news for Indian cricket fans who have been eagerly waiting to see Shami back in longer formats.
The Captain and Vice-Captain Duo
Ishan Kishan has been appointed as the captain of the East Zone squad, with Abhimanyu Easwaran serving as his deputy. This leadership combination brings together Kishan's aggressive batting style and wicket-keeping skills with Easwaran's solid technique and experience in domestic cricket.
Easwaran, who is currently part of India's Test squad touring England, will add valuable experience to the team's batting lineup. His presence as vice-captain ensures strong leadership support for Kishan.
Tournament Details: When and Where
The 2025-26 Duleep Trophy is set to begin on August 28, 2025, and will continue until September 15, 2025. This tournament marks the official start of the Indian domestic cricket season, making it a crucial platform for players to showcase their skills.
East Zone's opening match will be against North Zone on August 28 at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. This high-profile clash promises to be an exciting start to the tournament.
Shami's Recent Cricket Journey
Mohammed Shami's last appearance in first-class cricket was in November 2024 when he played for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy. More recently, he participated in the 2025 Indian Premier League, representing Sunrisers Hyderabad where he claimed 6 wickets in 9 matches.
This Duleep Trophy appearance will be crucial for Shami as he looks to prove his fitness and form in the longer format of the game.
The Complete East Zone Squad
The 15-member East Zone squad features a balanced mix of experienced players and emerging talents:
Role | Players |
|---|---|
Captain & Wicket-keeper | Ishan Kishan |
Vice-Captain | Abhimanyu Easwaran |
Batsmen and All-rounders | Sandeep Patnaik, Virat Singh, Denish Das, Riyan Parag, Utkarsh Singh, Kumar Kushagra |
Fast Bowlers | Mohammed Shami, Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar |
Spinners | Manishi, Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal, Sridam Paul, Sharandeep Singh |
Rising Stars in the Standby List
The tournament organizers have also named six standby players, with some exciting young talents making the list:
Player Name | Specialty |
|---|---|
Vaibhav Suryavanshi | Teenage batting sensation with fastest Youth ODI century |
Mukhtar Hussain | All-rounder |
Aasirwad Swain | Batsman |
Swastik Samal | All-rounder |
Sudip Kumar Gharami | Batsman |
Rahul Singh | Bowler |
Left-arm spinner Manishi deserves special mention for his outstanding performance, having taken 22 wickets in seven games in recent domestic competitions.
What This Means for Indian Cricket
Shami's return to domestic red-ball cricket is significant for several reasons. As one of India's most successful fast bowlers in recent years, his participation in the Duleep Trophy will help him:
Build match fitness for longer formats
Test his bowling rhythm in competitive conditions
Stake his claim for future India selections
Mentor young fast bowlers in the East Zone squad
The Road Ahead
The Duleep Trophy has undergone format changes in recent years. While South Zone won the tournament in its last zonal format edition in 2023-24, the previous year saw a different structure with four Indian squads (A, B, C, and D) selected by the BCCI.
This year's return to the zonal format provides a perfect platform for players like Shami to showcase their skills alongside teammates from their respective regions.
Fan Expectations and Tournament Buzz
Cricket enthusiasts across the country are excited about this star-studded East Zone squad. The combination of Shami's experience, Kishan's leadership, and the presence of talented players like Riyan Parag and Akash Deep makes East Zone one of the tournament favorites.
The tournament promises to be a thrilling affair, with each zone fielding competitive squads. For Mohammed Shami, this represents not just a return to domestic cricket, but potentially the first step toward reclaiming his place in India's Test team.
As the August 28 start date approaches, all eyes will be on how Shami performs and whether he can rediscover the form that made him one of the world's premier fast bowlers. The Duleep Trophy stage is set for what could be a memorable comeback story.