Duleep Trophy 2025: Vasuki Koushik replaces injured ex-RCB star in South Zone squad

Vasuki Koushik replaces injured ex-RCB star in South Zone squad. (Photo source: KSCA)

In an unfortunate development in the South Zone dressing room, star pacer Vijaykumar Vyshak has been ruled out of the ongoing Duleep Trophy 2025, and will not be taking any further part in the domestic competition. To replace, the side has added Vyshak’s fellow Karnataka pacer Vasuki Koushik to the squad. Vyshak was part of the original squad, but even before the side play their first match of the season, he will now have to pack his bags and leave.

Vyshak has previously represented Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the 2024 season of the Indian Premier League, but switched his side to Punjab Kings ahead of the 2025 season. The pacer had to undergo an assessment for his match-readiness ahead of South Zone’s first match of the red-ball tournament, but failed to make it through in what comes as a huge setback for the pacer as well as the squad.

Captain Tilak Varma leaves for national duties, Azharuddeen to lead

The South Zone squad was originally set to be captained by Hyderabad’s Tilak Varma. However, the star batter has to leave for national duties to join the Indian team for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. As a result, Mohammed Azharuddeen will be leading the side in his absence. Azharuddeen, who was named Tilak’s deputy in the original squad, will also be the designated first-choice wicketkeeper in the squad.

Speaking of the first semi-final, South Zone will be facing North Zone in the penultimate encounter at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground in Bengaluru, starting September 4. The contest will be a four-day fixture, as Azharuddeen & Co. will aim to defend their title, which they won in the previous edition of the zonal tournament under the captaincy of Hanuma Vihari.

South Zone squad:

Mohammed Azharuddeen (capt & wk), Tanmay Agarwal, Shaik Rasheed, Devdutt Padikkal, Mohit Kale, Salman Nizar, N Jagadeesan (wk), T Vijay, Ankit Sharma, Tanay Thyagarajan, MD Nidheesh, Ricky Bhui, Basil NP, Gurjapneet Singh, Snehal Kauthankar, and Vasuki Koushik

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