India’s 2025-26 domestic cricket season will begin with the Duleep Trophy. This important tournament begins on August 28, 2025, in Bengaluru. This year, the tournament has returned to its traditional format.
There will be six teams. Each team represents a different zone in India. The zones are North, South, East, West, Central, and North East. This change helps players feel proud to play for their region and makes the games more exciting.
The tournament is a knockout format. It starts with two quarter-final matches on August 28. North Zone will play East Zone. Central Zone will play North East Zone. The winners will then move to the semi-finals on September 4.
South Zone and West Zone will join the tournament directly in the semi-finals. The final match will be from September 11 to 15. It will last five days. All other matches last four days. All games will be played at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Shubman Gill will lead the North Zone team. He is the captain of India’s Test cricket team. But if he plays for India in the Asia Cup (September 9 to 28), Shubham Rohilla will replace him in the North Zone team.
The same rule applies to two fast bowlers, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana. If they take part in the Asia Cup, Gurnoor Brar and Anuj Thakral will come in to play instead.
The North Zone team is strong. The team features Ankit Kumar as the vice-captain, who was Haryana’s highest run-scorer in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy. Other good players are Yash Dhull (former India Under-19 captain), Ayush Badoni, and Auqib Nabi. Nabi was the second highest wicket-taker in last season’s Ranji Trophy.
Last year, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) used teams called India A, B, C, and D instead of zones. But this year, they went back to zones. This helps players feel proud of their regions. It also makes the competition better. The teams in each zone are picked by a committee from that zone’s states.
There are more changes this season. T20 tournaments will have a “Super League” stage. The 50-over tournaments will have a “Plate Division.” These changes will make matches more balanced and interesting.
Remember these dates: quarter-finals on August 28, semi-finals on September 4, and the final from September 11 to 15. Quarter-finals are North Zone vs East Zone and Central Zone vs North East Zone. Semi-finals will have South Zone and West Zone play against the winners. The final is a longer five-day game.
The Duleep Trophy is a good chance for young players to show their skills. It helps them get noticed for the national teams. This year, the tournament has famous players like Shubman Gill and many new talented players.
In short, the North Zone key players are Shubman Gill (captain), Shubham Khajuria, Ankit Kumar (vice-captain), Yash Dhull, Ayush Badoni, and Auqib Nabi. Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana might be replaced if they play in the Asia Cup. If that happens, Shubham Rohilla, Gurnoor Brar, and Anuj Thakral will take their places
The 2025-26 Duleep Trophy will offer exciting cricket with a mix of tradition and new players. Fans can enjoy good matches where players fight for their zones and try to become future stars.