(LR) Shreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan and Tilak Verma (PTI | Getti image)

India’s 2025-26 domestic season is set to kick with the Dalip Trophy to be played in Bengaluru from 28 August to 15 September. The tournament will also be a career-defined audition for fringe cricketers chasing a place in India’s Test line-up.Earlier this year, India’s 2–2 draw against England in Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy threw some important questions. Sai Reformson was tried at number 3, Karun Nair slot both number 3 and 6, and both showed promise but failed to make those positions. India -led India will play their next Test series against the West Indies and South Africa in October and November at home.With questions on the depth of number 3, number 6 and speed, batsmen like Devdutt Padikkal, Shreyas Iyer And Sarfaz Khan with the bowlers, as well as Mohammed Shami And Mukesh Kumar will be eager to impress the selectors beyond the home test series and also for India.Timesofindia.com makes a deep dive and brings you the names for which the Duleep Trophy will be important to throw its way into the whites.Batsman in focusDevdutt Padikal (Karnataka – South Region)The elegant left -handed batsman started his test against England in early 2024. Although he looked compact, he failed to count the opportunity in a test in Australia. Along with being insecure in that slot, good governance still knows that a strong Dalip campaign can swing the balance back to its favor.Ruturaj Gikwar (Maharashtra – West Zone)Stylish and technically sound, Gaikwad has been absent from India’s plans. In the last season in the Ranji Trophy, he began to bat in the middle order, a clear indication that he wants to throw his hat in the ring. At the age of 28, he is in a phase where he will have to turn into a heavy score to push domestic stability for another memory.Tilak Verma (Hyderabad – South Region)Tilak has been recognized as India’s most talented young batting talent, captaining the south region this season. The choice of Sunil Gavaskar, Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja honored him as India’s next all-format cricketer. Larger scores in the Dalip Trophy can help him accelerate his case.Shres Iyer (Mumbai – West Zone)The Mumbai Batter has recently been in the headlines, not for performance but from India’s Asia Cup squad for his absence. He lost his place in the Test team at home in the last season. He is probably the best batsman against spin and is an ideal fit for that number 6 position in India’s play XI. Iyer will be motivated to remind the selectors of his class. He last played a Test against England in early 2024.Sarfaz Khan (Mumbai – West Zone)Some stories in Indian cricket disappoint the fans as much as Sarfaz. Despite an average of around 66 in first-class cricket, he was released out of the Anderson-Tendulkar series. Whenever they have opportunities for India, they look competent, but the opportunities are sporadic. He enters the Dalip Trophy with a point to prove once again.Silver Patidar (Madhya Pradesh – Central Zone)In IPL 2025, RCB Skipar, Patidar played for India in the Test against England last year and despite a long time, he failed to make an impact. This tournament is another chance to push back in its own way in the discussions of the selectors.

Spinner who can batTanush Kotian (Mumbai – West Zone)One of the most promising spin-bouling all-rounders in the domestic circuit. With the retirement of Ashwin, India was highlighted off-spin options, under serious consideration. He even received a young woman test call during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. His batting makes him a lower-order replacement for Washington Sundar.Nishant Sindhu (Haryana – North Zone)All-rounder, Sindhu has been a versatile left-handed spinning, Indus India has been a tour of India and age-groups. Their ability to contribute to both departments makes them a valuable long -term investment.Pace batteryMohammed Shami (Bengal – East Zone)The 2023 World Test Championships were finally depicted in India in the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia. Injuries and recovery times have been kept away from tests since then, and were not nominated in the Anderson -Tendulkar series against England. Nevertheless, India’s most experienced seamor will see Shami Dalip back in the testing side as a route.Mukesh Kumar (Bengal – East Zone)Already dominated internationally, Mukesh has slipped behind others in Peking Order. The Duleep Trophy offers him a chance to remind everyone of his credibility and penetration with the new ball.Khalil Ahmed (Rajasthan – Central Zone)A familiar name that has been in the discussion recently and has given a strong competition to fellow-arm semen Arshdeep Singh for the tour of England. A fit and firing Khalil added diversity to the Indian attack.