Shardul Thakur Set to Lead West Zone in Duleep Trophy 2025: “A Chance to Express Myself”

As the 2025-26 Indian domestic cricket season kicks off with the Duleep Trophy from August 28 to September 15, experienced all-rounder Shardul Thakur is gearing up for a new challenge—captaining the West Zone team. The 33-year-old, who had captained Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy late last year but never led in the first-class format, sees this opportunity as more than just leadership; it is a platform for self-expression and growth.

A Tournament Among Equals

Speaking candidly in an interview with cricket analyst Boria Majumdar on Revsportz, Thakur described the Duleep Trophy as a unique competition that rewards consistent and outstanding performances across the season. Unlike state-level cricket, where team strengths vary widely, the Duleep Trophy features top 15 players from each zone, leveling the playing field and raising the quality of the contest.

Thakur said,
"The Duleep Trophy is where consistent performers throughout the season come together. The competition is tougher, amongst equals. I see this as a chance to express myself and showcase my talent on a bigger stage."

Leadership: A Personal Journey

While leading West Zone might be new territory in first-class cricket, Thakur embraces the responsibility with enthusiasm and humility. He recognizes leadership is about more than just decision-making on the field—it involves fostering communication and strategy with teammates.

He shared,
"Being given the captaincy is not a challenge but an experience for me personally. I want to learn what qualities make a good leader. I believe I have some but this tournament will help me grow further. As captain, I plan to be approachable—discussing bowling plans, field settings, and game strategies with the team."

West Zone Squad Highlights

The squad boasts a combination of exciting batsmen, capable wicketkeepers, all-rounders, and reliable bowlers:

• Batters: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Aarya Desai, Manan Hingrajia

• Wicketkeepers: Harvik Desai, Saurabh Nawale

• All-rounders: Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Jaymeet Patel, Dharmendrasinh Jadeja

• Bowlers: Shardul Thakur (c), Tushar Deshpande, Arzan Nagwaswalla

Looking Ahead

Thakur’s captaincy marks an important step in his cricketing career, offering him a chance not only to impact matches with bat and ball but also to shape team culture and dynamics. The Duleep Trophy will test his tactical acumen and leadership under pressure, key skills for any player aiming to remain relevant in the competitive Indian cricketing landscape.

With the tournament transitioning back to the zonal format after last year’s team-based squads (A, B, C, D), fans can expect warm contests that celebrate Indian domestic cricket’s depth. For Shardul Thakur, it’s a golden opportunity to lead, inspire, and express his cricketing identity.