Suraj jaiswal

The East Zone: Mohammed Shami, Akash Deep, and Abhimanyu Easwaran have been included in the East Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy, starting on August 28 in Bengaluru. The East Zone zonal selectors, who convened in a meeting at JSCA International Stadium on Friday, have appointed India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan as the side’s captain.

Shami hasn't been in competitive cricket action since IPL 2025, where he picked up only six wickets in nine innings at an economy rate of 11.23 for Sunrisers Hyderabad. The veteran right-arm pacer, who last played for India in their victorious 2025 Champions Trophy campaign, was recently named in Bengal’s probables list for the Ranji Trophy.

Easwaran, the right-handed opener who’s warmed the bench in the ongoing Test series against England, will be the vice-captain. Akash, who picked a ten-wicket haul in India’s 336-run win in Birmingham, and is in action at The Oval, will handle pace bowling duties alongside Shami, Mukesh Kumar and Suraj Jaiswal.