As India’s cricketing stars gear up for a bustling home Test season to face West Indies and South Africa the 2025 Duleep Trophy has transformed into more than just a domestic contest. It’s a high-stakes stage for cricketers knocking on the selectors’ door, and the return to the traditional zonal format adds a nostalgic charm. Matches begin August 28 in Bengaluru, featuring fierce rivalries and dreams of international comebacks. 

Take Shreyas Iyer, for instance recently snubbed from the Asia Cup squad, he's now looking to let his bat do all the talking for West Zone. He’s joined by Sarfaraz Khan and Yashasvi Jaiswal, promising a formidable middle-order push. On the East Zone side, Mohammed Shami stands out not merely as a veteran with reverse-swing magic, but as a bowler keen to prove his fitness and reclaim a place on the national stage. 

The buzz doesn’t stop there. Names like Arshdeep Singh of North Zone with raw pace and swing are generating excitement, while central and south zone contenders, including Rajat Patidar and R Sai Kishore, are quietly making their case. 

What makes this edition particularly exciting is not just the cricket but the stories behind every player those chasing redemption, those on the edge of glory, and those hoping to springboard into India’s red-ball future.

The Duleep Trophy’s revival in its purest form is more than a format correction. It’s a festival of talent, ambition, and second chances against the backdrop of India’s imminent Test battles.