South Zone have received a major boost ahead of their Duleep Trophy 2026-27 final against East Zone, with India internationals KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal and Mohammed Siraj set to join the squad for the title clash in Chennai.
The final will be played from September 6 to 10 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, with South Zone looking to go one step further after finishing runners-up last season. The addition of the three India players is part of the national selectors' push to ensure available Test players get competitive red-ball cricket and remain match-ready.
Duleep Trophy Final: Changes in Squads
It is yet to be confirmed which players will make way for the incoming internationals. Siraj's inclusion will particularly strengthen South Zone's pace attack after Vidhwath Kaverappa, who impressed
in the semi-final against North Zone, picked up a niggle. Hyderabad pacer CV Milind has also been added as cover for Kaverappa.
Padikkal enters the final on the back of an outstanding Test series in Sri Lanka. The left-handed batter was named Player of the Series after scoring 328 runs in three innings, including two centuries, while batting at No. 3. His run came during his first stretch of consecutive Tests since making his international debut in 2024.
KL Rahul and Siraj were also part of India's Test campaign in Sri Lanka. Their availability for the Duleep final is aimed at providing valuable red-ball game time before India's next international commitments.
South Zone captain Tilak Varma could also feature in the final despite being part of India's T20I squad for the upcoming Afghanistan series. East Zone captain Ishan Kishan and young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who are also part of the T20I setup, are similarly expected to play unless the Indian team management decides otherwise.
India's three-match T20I series against Afghanistan begins on September 13 in Delhi, with the other two games scheduled for September 15 and 17.
