Star India batter Ruturaj Gaikwad has been appointed captain of the West Zone squad for the 2026-27 Duleep Trophy, which gets underway on Sunday, August 23. Mumbai all-rounder Shams Mulani will serve as his vice-captain for the season-opening domestic tournament.
The squad features six players from Mumbai, including all-rounder Shardul Thakur and batter Sarfaraz Khan. Former Mumbai opener Prithvi Shaw has also been included after impressing with a stellar maiden Ranji Trophy campaign for Maharashtra.
Prithvi Shaw scored 537 runs in 11 innings at an impressive average of 48.84 during the Ranji Trophy, with his standout performance being a sensational 222 off 156 balls against Chandigarh. The knock also featured the third-fastest century in the tournament’s history.
Meanwhile, teenage Mumbai batter Aayush Mhatre was unavailable for selection as he continues to recover from hamstring and wrist injuries. The injuries ruled him out of the remainder of Chennai Super Kings’ IPL 2026 campaign after he featured in six matches. Mhatre is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Ruturaj Gaikwad Set for Middle-Order Role in West Zone, Eyes Red-Ball Success
According to a Cricinfo report, Gaikwad is expected to bat in the middle order, a position he considers ideal for his red-ball game. He was also part of the India A side that completed a clean sweep in both the one-day tri-series and the four-day series in Sri Lanka.
Saurashtra wicketkeeper Harvik Desai is likely to be the team’s first-choice gloveman, while Gujarat’s Urvil Patel has been named as the backup. Mumbai all-rounder Musheer Khan has earned his maiden West Zone call-up following an outstanding 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, during which he amassed 446 runs and picked up 16 wickets.
Mumbai duo Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian are set to lead the West Zone spin department, with Gujarat’s left-arm spinner Siddharth Desai adding further depth to the attack. Desai enjoyed an excellent 2025-26 Ranji Trophy campaign, finishing with 45 wickets at an impressive average of 18.42.
The six-team Duleep Trophy will be played at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru from August 23 to September 10. West Zone’s last campaign ended in the semi-finals of the 2025-26 edition, where they suffered a defeat to eventual champions Central Zone.
Gaikwad was one of the standout performers in that semi-final, scoring a century despite his team’s loss.
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