Tilak Varma in whites (Source:@Imchauhan28/X.com)
Tilak Varma will not be available for the South Zone in the Duleep Trophy semifinal clash. He has been withdrawn for the the preparation of the Asia Cup and has been replaced by Shaik Rasheed.
Tilak Varma was earlier named as the captain of the side, and it was a good opportunity for the youngster to prove his red-ball credentials. The left-handed batter, though, is a crucial part of the Indian set-up in the Asia Cup 2025 and might take the important number 3 position in the marquee tournament.
Shaik Rasheed Gets A Chance Among Big Boys As Tilak's Replacement
However, with Tilak not available, it provides an opportunity for young Shaik Rasheed to show his quality. The 20-year-old has been part of the CSK setup for the last few years and was a key player for India in the U19 World Cup 2022. He is now an important part of the Andhra team in the domestic circuit and has scored two centuries and seven fifties in the 19 first-class matches.
Along with Tilak, Sai Kishore and Vijaykumar Vyshak are also out due to injury. Sai Kishore has a finger injury, and Ankit Sharma has been selected in his place, while V Kaushik has taken the place of Vijaykumar Vyshak. As a result of these changes, Kerala's Mohd Azharuddin has been appointed as the captain, while Jagadeesan, the wicketkeeper batter from Tamil Nadu, has been named as the vice-captain of the team.
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South Zone Will Face-Off Against Dominant North Zone In Semifinal
According to Cricbuzz, the changes have been approved by South Zone selectors during a Zoom call on Sunday, August 31. Thus, the changes are likely to affect the strength of the South Zone squad, which will face the North Zone in the semifinal starting from September 4.
The second semifinal will be played between the West Zone and the Central Zone.
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