With this selection, Shubman Gill will make his comeback just three weeks after the physically demanding England tour ended on August 4.
Shubman Gill Named North Zone Captain for Duleep Trophy After Successful England Tour
Following his outstanding debut as India’s Test captain during the England tour—where India secured a thrilling 2-2 draw in the five-match series—Shubman Gill has been appointed captain of the North Zone squad for the upcoming Duleep Trophy starting August 28.
Gill assumed Test captaincy after Rohit Sharma’s retirement in May this year. Despite initial doubts about the BCCI’s decision, he proved his worth by scoring 754 runs in 10 innings—the second-highest by an Indian in a single Test series after Sunil Gavaskar’s 774 runs in the 1971 West Indies tour, and the highest ever by an Indian captain in a single series. His stellar performance was instrumental in India drawing the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2-2.
With this selection, Gill is set to return to competitive cricket just three weeks after the physically demanding England tour, which ended on August 4.
North Zone Squad:
Shubman Gill (captain, PCA), Ankit Kumar (vice-captain, HCA), Shubham Khajuria (JKCA), Ayush Badoni (DDCA), Yash Dhull (DDCA), Ankit Kalsi (HPCA), Nishant Sindhu (HCA), Sahil Lotra (JKCA), Mayank Dagar (HPCA), Yudhvir Singh Charak (JKCA), Arshdeep Singh (PCA), Harshit Rana (DDCA), Anshul Kamboj (HCA), Auqib Nabi (JKCA), Kanhaiya Wadhawan (wicketkeeper, JKCA).
BCCI Keeps Shubman Gill’s Asia Cup Chances Alive
However, the BCCI has kept the door open for Shubman Gill, as well as Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, to be called up for the Asia Cup if selected. The selectors have also named Shubman Rohilla (SSCB), Gurnoor Brar, and Anul Thakral as backup players.
Earlier, PTI reported that Gill, along with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan, is in contention for a place in India’s Asia Cup squad. The selection committee is reportedly weighing options carefully, especially considering the upcoming home Test series against the West Indies shortly after the Asia Cup.
A BCCI source, speaking anonymously to PTI, said, “There is a five-week break and with no cricket around, these three should walk into any T20 squad despite the stupendous show by Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma. In 21 days at the Asia Cup, if one plays till the final, there are just six T20 games — not much of a workload. But with 17-member squads allowed, selectors will weigh the options carefully.”
