Senior Indian players Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane have not been included in the West Zone squad for the upcoming Duleep Trophy. The team will be led by all-rounder Shardul Thakur.

Pujara and Rahane, who were key members of India’s Test team in the 2010s, have not played international red-ball cricket for some time. This latest decision, announced on Friday, August 1, could be a big blow to their chances of returning to the Test side.

 At present, Pujara is busy doing commentary for the India vs England Test series, while Rahane is focusing on his YouTube channel. Both, however, played in the Ranji Trophy last season.

🚨 NO RAHANE & PUJARA IN DULEEP TROPHY 🚨

- Ajinkya Rahane & Cheteshwar Pujara have been ignored from the West Zone Dileep Trophy Squad. (Gaurav Gupta/TOI). pic.twitter.com/iHzlZPI4Z8

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) August 1, 2025

This year, the Duleep Trophy is back to its old zonal format after one season with a four-team structure. Last year’s format had India A, B, C and D competing, with India A winning the title. The BCCI decided to return to the zonal system to give more players from each region a chance to play.

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West Zone Squad for Duleep Trophy 2025

Shardul Thakur (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Aarya Desai, Harvik Desai (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Jaymeet Patel, Manan Hingrajia, Saurabh Nawale (wk), Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Dharmendra Jadeja, Tushar Deshpande, Arzan Nagwaswalla.