South Zone Defies BCCI Directive; Excluded Contracted Stars Unlikely to be Added

The South Zone selectors have chosen not to follow the BCCI's directive to include centrally contracted players in their Duleep Trophy squad. The zone has stuck with the squad announced on July 26, with skipper Tilak Varma being the only contracted player in the side.

The South Zone officials argue that national selectors should have no role in picking zonal sides and that the BCCI should make Ranji Trophy participation mandatory for the contracted players. They also contend that star Indian players can always be included for the matches of India A team.

The 15-member squad comprises players from Kerala, Hyderabad, Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Pondicherry, and Goa. The team has secured a direct entry into the semifinals, beginning September 4.

Other zonal selectors, however, have adhered to the BCCI diktat and included contracted players for the tournament. The South Zone officials maintain that a turnaround is unlikely, given that travel and accommodation arrangements have already been finalized.

South Zone Squad

• Tilak Varma (captain)
• Mohammed Azharuddeen (vice-captain, wk)
• Tanmay Agarwal
• Devdutt Padikkal
• Mohit Kale
• Salman Nizar
• N Jagadeesan (wk)
• T Vijay
• R Sai Kishore
• Tanay Thyagarajan
• Vyshak Vijaykumar
• MD Nidheesh
• Ricky Bhui
• Basil NP
• Gurjapneet Singh
• Snehal Kauthankar