By Krishna Dua 
Mohammed Azharuddeen Leads South Zone in Semi Clash
In a significant turn of events that underscores the fluid nature of modern cricket schedules, Mohammed Azharuddeen, the gritty wicket-keeper batsman from Kerala, has been entrusted with the leadership of the South Zone squad. The appointment came just days before the crucial Duleep Trophy semi-final against a formidable North Zone side. The change at the helm was necessitated by the departure of the originally named captain, Tilak Varma, who received a call-up to the Indian team for the Asia Cup. Varma’s elevation to the national squad is a testament to his burgeoning talent, but it presented an immediate challenge for the South Zone selectors. They turned to Azharuddeen, a player known for his aggressive batting and solid wicket-keeping skills, to lead the defending champions into the knockout stage of the tournament.
The decision to name Azharuddeen as captain, with Tamil Nadu’s N Jagadeesan stepping up as vice-captain, highlights the selectors’ confidence in his temperament and leadership abilities. While Azharuddeen has experience leading the Kerala side in domestic competitions, captaining a zonal team in a prestigious tournament like the Duleep Trophy is a different proposition entirely. The pressure to perform, both as a batsman and as a leader, will be immense. He will be expected to guide a team brimming with talent but also one that has seen a last-minute change to its core leadership. The absence of a player of Varma’s calibre is a significant blow, and Azharuddeen’s ability to rally his troops and fill the void will be the key to South Zone’s success. The semi-final clash, which commenced on September 4, 2025, at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, is a high-stakes encounter, and all eyes will be on how the newly-appointed captain handles the challenge.
South Zone’s Strengths and Squad Composition
South Zone, the defending champions of the Duleep Trophy, entered the semi-final with a powerful and well-rounded squad. The team’s batting lineup is its primary strength, featuring a mix of established domestic stalwarts and exciting young prospects. Leading the charge are the opening pair of Tanmay Agarwal and N Jagadeesan. Agarwal, a consistent performer for Hyderabad, provides a solid, dependable presence at the top of the order, while Jagadeesan, who has been in scintillating form, offers a more dynamic and aggressive option. Their partnership will be crucial in setting the tone against a potent North Zone bowling attack.
The middle order is equally formidable. Devdutt Padikkal, a stylish left-handed batsman from Karnataka, is a key player whose elegant strokeplay and ability to build long innings make him a threat to any bowling unit. His form in recent domestic tournaments has been impressive, and he will be expected to anchor the innings. The captain, Mohammed Azharuddeen, will also play a vital role in the middle order, where his aggressive style can help accelerate the scoring. Other key batsmen include Ricky Bhui, a reliable performer, and Mohit Kale, who add depth and stability to the lineup. The inclusion of Salman Nizar, a versatile all-rounder, further strengthens the team’s batting.
In the bowling department, South Zone possesses a potent pace attack. The likes of Vijaykumar Vyshak, a young and promising pacer, and Basil NP provide the firepower with the new ball. Their ability to generate pace and extract bounce from the pitch will be a major factor. The spin department is led by the experienced Tanay Thyagarajan, a left-arm spinner who can tie down the opposition and pick up crucial wickets in the middle overs. The absence of R Sai Kishore, a left-arm spinner who is still recovering from a hand injury, is a setback, but the inclusion of Ankit Sharma of Puducherry and Shaikh Rasheed of Andhra from the standbys ensures the team has ample backups. Ankit Sharma, in particular, with his vast experience of 168 wickets in 68 first-class matches, brings a wealth of knowledge to the attack. The combination of seasoned campaigners and youthful exuberance makes the South Zone squad a well-balanced and formidable unit, perfectly equipped to defend their title.
North Zone’s Path to the Semi-Final and Key Players
North Zone, under the leadership of Ankit Kumar, did not have the luxury of a direct entry into the semi-final. They had to fight their way through a hard-fought quarter-final against East Zone, where they secured their semi-final berth on the strength of a first-innings lead. This experience, while physically and mentally taxing, will have prepared them well for the high-pressure environment of the knockout stage. The quarter-final clash was a showcase of their resilience and batting prowess, with notable performances from several key players.
The North Zone batting lineup is built around a core of strong, confident batsmen. The captain, Ankit Kumar, has led from the front, delivering a stellar performance in the quarter-final where he narrowly missed a double-century with a score of 198. His leadership and form will be crucial for North Zone’s chances. Youngster Yash Dhull, a player of immense talent and a former U-19 World Cup-winning captain, provides stability in the middle order and will be a key figure. The true hero of their quarter-final victory, however, was Ayush Badoni, who slammed a magnificent double hundred (204 not out), showcasing his ability to bat for long periods and dominate the opposition. His fearless approach and powerful hitting will be a major threat to South Zone’s bowlers. Other important contributors include Shubham Khajuria and Nishant Sindhu, who add depth and resilience to the batting order.
North Zone’s bowling attack is a blend of pace and spin, with a focus on disciplined and aggressive bowling. The pace attack is led by the duo of Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh, both of whom have considerable experience and the ability to pick up wickets at crucial moments. The quarter-final also saw a breakout performance from Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi, who returned a hat-trick and a five-wicket haul, demonstrating his potential as a match-winner. On the spinning front, Mayank Dagar will be the go-to bowler, with his left-arm spin capable of creating problems for the opposition on a wearing pitch. Their strategy against South Zone will likely revolve around a collective effort, with the pacers making early inroads and the spinners controlling the middle overs. The team’s recent victory will have boosted their confidence, and they will be looking to build on that momentum to upset the defending champions.
The Duleep Trophy: A Gateway to National Recognition
The Duleep Trophy holds a special place in the Indian domestic cricket calendar. For decades, it has served as a proving ground for the country’s best first-class cricketers, a stage where they can showcase their talent and vie for a spot in the national team. The tournament, now played on a zonal basis, brings together a formidable collection of talent from across the country. Players who perform well in the Duleep Trophy often find themselves on the radar of the national selectors, making this semi-final an audition of sorts for many of the young and promising players.
For a player like Mohammed Azharuddeen, the Duleep Trophy is a golden opportunity. While he has been a consistent performer for Kerala and has had brief stints with IPL franchises, a strong performance as captain of a zonal team could be the missing piece in his quest for national recognition. Similarly, for batsmen like Devdutt Padikkal and Ankit Kumar, and bowlers such as Vijaykumar Vyshak and Auqib Nabi, this is their chance to make a compelling case for a call-up to the India A or even the senior national team. The tournament’s format, with its long-form matches, provides a true test of a player’s technique, temperament, and endurance—qualities that are highly valued by the national selectors.
The Duleep Trophy’s importance is further magnified by the absence of several top-tier players who are on national duty. This has created a vacuum that has been filled by the next generation of cricketers, who are eager to make their mark. The semi-final clash between South Zone and North Zone, therefore, is not just a battle for a place in the final, but a battle for personal and team glory, and a chance for the next crop of Indian cricketers to announce their arrival on the big stage.
Pitch and Conditions at the BCCI Centre of Excellence
The Duleep Trophy semi-final is being played at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, a venue known for its excellent cricketing facilities and generally batting-friendly pitches. The match began on a slightly delayed note due to some damp patches on the pitch, but the conditions are expected to be conducive for a good game of cricket. A typical CoE pitch tends to be a good surface for batting, especially in the initial stages of the match, offering true bounce and pace. This is likely to favour the strong batting lineups of both South Zone and North Zone.
However, as the match progresses, the pitch is expected to show some wear and tear, and the cracks may open up, bringing the spinners into play. This could be a crucial factor, especially on the third and fourth days of the match. The weather in Bengaluru at this time of the year is generally pleasant, with overcast conditions and a chance of showers, which could provide some assistance to the pacers, particularly with the new ball. The captains will have to make a careful assessment of the conditions and make strategic decisions, especially with regard to the toss. The toss update from the ground confirmed that South Zone won the toss and elected to bat first, a decision that indicates their confidence in their batting strength and their belief that setting a big first-innings total will put pressure on the North Zone team.
The Head-to-Head and Battle of Strategies
The rivalry between South Zone and North Zone has a rich history in the Duleep Trophy. Over the years, the two teams have produced some memorable and closely contested battles. While South Zone, as the defending champions, may be considered the favourites, North Zone’s recent performance in the quarter-final has proven that they are a team not to be underestimated. The semi-final is poised to be a fascinating contest between two contrasting approaches.
South Zone’s strategy will likely be to rely on their strong top-order batting to post a massive first-innings total, thereby putting the opposition under pressure. They will be hoping for a big hundred from one of their key batsmen, such as Padikkal or Jagadeesan, which can set the tone for the entire match. With the ball, they will be looking to strike early with their pacers and then rely on the experience of their spinners to control the flow of runs and pick up wickets in the middle overs. The captain, Mohammed Azharuddeen, will be key to implementing this strategy, making timely bowling changes and setting aggressive fields to create scoring opportunities.
North Zone, on the other hand, will be banking on the momentum from their quarter-final win. Their strategy will likely involve a more collective effort, with contributions coming from different players in the team. Their batting, as seen in the previous match, has the ability to bat for long periods and accumulate big scores. They will be looking to counter South Zone’s strong batting with a disciplined and relentless bowling attack. The pace trio of Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, and Auqib Nabi will have to be at their best to unsettle the South Zone batsmen, while their spinners will have to be clever and patient to get the breakthroughs. Captain Ankit Kumar will have his work cut out for him, making crucial decisions on and off the field to outmanoeuvre the defending champions.
The match is not just a contest between two teams; it is a battle of wits between the captains, a test of skill for the players, and a true spectacle for cricket fans. With a place in the final on the line, both teams will be leaving no stone unturned in their quest for glory. The first day’s play has already seen South Zone’s openers lay a solid foundation, showcasing the strength of their batting. The battle has just begun, and it promises to be a thrilling and captivating affair over the next few days. The winner will earn the right to challenge for the prestigious Duleep Trophy, and for the players involved, the stakes could not be higher.