Jammu, July 07: In a historic milestone for Jammu and Kashmir cricket, seven players and a coach from the region have been selected for the prestigious Duleep Trophy 2025, scheduled from August 28 to September 15. This includes five players in the 15-member squad, two in the standbys, and one coach—marking a proud moment for JKCA on the national stage.According to a statement issued here, the North Zone squad was selected at a meeting convened by Mithun Manhas, Member Cricket Operations and Development, JKCA. Originally planned to be held in Jammu, the meeting was shifted to Delhi due to prior engagements of some selectors. Notably, for the first time in JKCA’s history, it served as the Zonal Convener for the 2025–26 season—an honour unanimously supported by all North Zone associations. The Selection Committee comprised former Test cricketer and Chairman of the National Selection Committee Chetan Sharma (HCA) as Chairman; Mukesh Sharma (HPCA), former Test cricketer Nikhil Chopra (DDCA), Amit Uniyal (UTCA), Capt (IN) DS Jakhar (SSCB), and Sarabjeet Singh, Chairman JKCA Senior Men’s Selection Committee.
The Squad:
Shubham Khajuria (Right-handed opening batter)
Sahil Lotra (Off-spinning all-rounder)
Yudhvir Singh Charak (Fast-bowling all-rounder)
Auqib Nabi (Fast-bowling all-rounder)
Kanhaiya Wadhawan (Wicketkeeper-batter)
The standbys include spinning all-rounder Abid Mushtaq and pacer Umar Nazir. Adding to the region’s pride, there is a possibility that Shubham Khajuria could be appointed Vice Captain if Ankit Kumar (currently VC) is promoted to Captain in case Shubman Gill is called up for national duty during the tournament. Coaching responsibilities have been entrusted to JKCA’s P. Krishna Kumar and former India cricketer and selector Sarandeep Singh. Speaking on the development, Mithun Manhas praised the efforts of JKCA’s Head Coach Ajay Sharma and reaffirmed the association’s commitment to nurturing young talent. “This achievement reflects our ongoing mission to promote and support local players,” he said. Brig Anil Gupta, Member Administration JKCA, extended his congratulations to the selected players and coach, calling the achievement “historic.” “It is simply history in the making. Hats off to Mithun Manhas and his vision,” he said.
North Zone Squad:Shubman Gill (Captain), Shubham Khajuria, Ankit Kumar (Vice-Captain), Ayush Badoni, Yash Dhull, Ankit Kalsi, Nishant Sindhu, Sahil Lotra, Mayank Dagar, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Anshul Kamboj, Auqib Nabi and Kanhaiya Wadhawan (WK).
