Devdutt Padikkal and Mohammed Siraj have been added to the South Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy 2026-27 final against East Zone, which begins on September 6 in Chennai.
The inclusion of the two India Test players is part of the national team management’s plan to keep key players match-ready ahead of the upcoming international schedule. However, it is yet to be confirmed which two players they will replace in the South Zone squad.
Padikkal enters the final after an impressive Test tour of Sri Lanka, where he was named Player of the Series. The left-hand batter scored 328 runs in three innings, including two centuries, while batting at No. 3. It was his first experience of playing consecutive Tests since making his debut in 2024.
His opportunity in Sri Lanka came after B Sai Sudharsan was ruled out with a toe injury. Sudharsan is not expected to feature in the Duleep Trophy final but is reportedly close to full fitness and could return for India A’s upcoming series against Australia from September 22.
Siraj, meanwhile, will strengthen South Zone’s pace attack. The fast bowler played both Tests in Sri Lanka and claimed four wickets during the series. His addition becomes particularly important after Vidwath Kaverappa, South Zone’s standout bowler in the semi-final, picked up a niggle.
South Zone have also brought in CV Milind, Siraj’s Hyderabad teammate, as cover.
Tilak, Kishan and Sooryavanshi Could Also Feature
South Zone captain Tilak Varma is expected to play the final, along with East Zone players Ishan Kishan and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, unless the India team management makes a late request for them to be released.
All three players are part of India’s squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, beginning on September 13. The Duleep Trophy final is scheduled to finish on September 10, giving the players a short window to join the national squad.
Tilak has already expressed his desire to play the final after producing a match-winning performance in the semi-final against North Zone. He scored an unbeaten 116 and 51 to guide South Zone into the title clash.
With Padikkal and Siraj now joining the squad, South Zone will enter the final with a stronger combination of international experience and domestic talent as they look to claim the Duleep Trophy title.
