Arshdeep Singh’s ambition to break into India’s Test setup has received a significant boost following his inclusion in the 15-member North Zone squad for the forthcoming Duleep Trophy, scheduled to commence on August 23.
While the left-arm pacer has established himself as an indispensable member of the white-ball international teams, his red-ball exposure has remained limited due to relentless national commitments. Arshdeep was previously named in India’s Test touring party for the 2025 tour of England, but a combination of minor injury niggles and tactical team combinations kept his debut cap tantalisingly out of reach.
His selection in the North Zone squad, which will be led by Jammu & Kashmir’s wicketkeeper-batter Kanhaiya Wadhawan, serves as a clear signal from the national selectors that the 27-year-old remains firmly within India’s long-format transition plans.
With India keen to diversify their seam-bowling reserves and add natural left-arm angle to their Test attack, Arshdeep’s red-ball development is being closely monitored by the national management. The upcoming red-ball fixture gives him a rare window to bowl extended spells, test his endurance, and work on getting late movement with the red SG ball under first-class conditions.
Frequent injury concerns to their pace lynchpin Jasprit Bumrah might force the selectors to test their bench strength further.
QUICK BYTE: WHAT IS DULEEP TROPHY?
Established in the 1961-62 season by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the Duleep Trophy is one of the country’s most prestigious domestic first-class competitions. Named in honour of legendary cricketer Kumar Shri Duleepsinhji, the multi-day red-ball tournament traditionally features zonal teams-North, South, East, West, Central, and North-East-compiling top performers from the Ranji Trophy. Serving as a crucial stepping stone between state-level cricket and the national team, it provides national selectors with a high-stakes platform to evaluate red-ball readiness and monitor players in line for Test selection.
Despite limited appearances over the past year, Arshdeep boasts a respectable first-class record, having taken 67 wickets in 22 matches at an average of 30.68. His landmark red-ball performance came during the 2024 Duleep Trophy, where he dismantled India B with a career-best spell of 6 for 40 for India D. A stint with Kent in the English County Championship in 2023 also demonstrated his ability to adapt to bowler-friendly conditions.
The North Zone selection committee has rewarded Jammu & Kashmir’s historic Ranji Trophy triumph by naming six players from the champion state, including skipper Wadhawan, Abdul Samad, Qamran Iqbal, Abid Mushtaq, Sunil Kumar, and Yudhvir Singh. Delhi’s Ayush Badoni has been named vice-captain, while Haryana fast bowler Anshul Kamboj also features alongside Arshdeep in a potent pace contingent.
North Zone squad: Kanhaiya Wadhawan (Captain), Ayush Badoni (Vice-Captain), Sanat Sangwan, Qamran Iqbal, Yash Dhull, Ayush Doseja, Abdul Samad, Nishant Sindhu, Arjun Sharma, Abid Mushtaq, Arshdeep Singh, Sunil Kumar, Anshul Kamboj, Yudhvir Singh, Nikhil Kashyap.
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