Duleep Trophy 2025-26: Odisha star Sandeep Patnaik in East Zone squad, Ishan Kishan to lead

Sandeep Patnaik is the only cricketer from Odisha selected in the East Zone squad for the upcoming Duleep Trophy, set to begin on August 28 in Bengaluru.  

Aggressive wicketkeeper-batsman  Ishan Kishan has been named as the captain of the team. Joining him in the leadership group is Bengal opener Abhimanyu Easwaran, who takes the role of vice-captain.

In a notable boost, India pacer Mohammed Shami returns to domestic red-ball cricket after a long layoff, having been named in the squad. The veteran India pacer is set to return to first-class cricket for the first time in over a year, having last bowled a red ball in early 2024.

Star pacers Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep have also been included in the squad. The squad also features promising talents like Riyan Parag, left-arm spinner Manishi, and consistent performers such as Virat Singh and Sharandeep Singh.

Among the six standby players is 14-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi.

East Zone will begin their campaign against North Zone in Bengaluru on August 28, as the Duleep Trophy returns to its zonal roots with a six-team format.

East Zone Squad 

Ishan Kishan (c), Abhimanyu Easwaran (vc), Sandeep Patnaik, Virat Singh, Denish Das, Sridam Paul, Sharandeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra, Riyan Parag, Utkarsh Singh, Manishi, Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, Mohammed Shami.

Standbys: Mukhtar Hussain, Aasirwad Swain, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Swastik Samal, Sudip Kumar Gharami, Rahul Singh.