Tilak Varma to Lead South Zone in Duleep Trophy 2026
The India T20I vice-captain takes charge of the southern side, with Ricky Bhui as his deputy.
Tilak Varma has added another leadership role to his growing portfolio. The 23-year-old, recently appointed India's vice-captain in T20Is, will captain the South Zone squad in the 2026 Duleep Trophy. The announcement came on Saturday, August 1, with Andhra's Ricky Bhui named as his deputy for the tournament in Bengaluru.
The squad also features former India Test batter Karun Nair alongside domestic regulars like R Smaran, SK Rasheed, and N Jagadeesan. This is not the first time Varma has been chosen to lead the side—he was also named captain for the 2025 edition but was forced to withdraw, paving the way for Mohammed Azharuddeen to step in.
In Duleep Trophy cricket, Varma has scored 259 runs in eight innings at an average of 37 across the 2023 and 2024 seasons. His overall first-class numbers are more impressive, with 1,562 runs in 35 innings at 50.38 from 23 matches. The full South Zone squad includes Tilak Varma (c), Ricky Bhui (vc), Abhinav Tejrana, SK Rasheed, K Himateja, R Smaran, N Jagadeesan, Karun Nair, T Thyagarajan, Shreyas Gopal, K Sai Teja, T Vijay, Kaverappa, and Aman Khan.