Duleep Trophy Preview: India’s fringe stars eye Test openings in Bengaluru

India's 2025–26 domestic season is set to kick off with the Duleep Trophy to be played between August 28 and September 15 in Bengaluru. The tournament will also be a career-defining audition for fringe cricketers chasing a place in India's Test line-up.India’s 2-2 draw against England in the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy earlier this year threw up some important questions. Sai Sudharsan was tried at No. 3, Karun Nair slotted in at both No. 3 and 6, and both showed promise but failed to make those positions their own. Shubman Gill-led India will be playing their next Test series at home against West Indies and South Africa in October and November.With questions over No. 3, No. 6 and pace depth, batters like Devdutt Padikkal, Shreyas Iyer and Sarfraz Khan, along with bowlers Mohammed Shami and Mukesh Kumar, will be eager to impress selectors ahead of the home Test series and for India A as well.TimesofIndia.com takes a deep dive and brings you the names for whom the Duleep Trophy will be important to bounce their way back in the whites.Batters in focusDevdutt Padikkal (Karnataka - South Zone)The elegant left-hander made his Test debut against England in early 2024. Although he looked compact, but failed to make the opportunity count in one Test in Australia. With Sudharsan still vulnerable in that slot, Padikkal knows a strong Duleep campaign could swing the balance back in his favour.Ruturaj Gaikwad (Maharashtra - West Zone)Stylish and technically sound, Gaikwad has been absent from India’s plans across formats. Last season in the Ranji Trophy, he started to bat in the middle order, a clear sign that he wants to throw his hat in the ring. At 28, he is at a stage where he must convert domestic consistency into heavy scores to push for another recall.Tilak Varma (Hyderabad - South Zone)Captaining South Zone this season, Tilak has been identified as one of India’s brightest young batting talents. The likes of Sunil Gavaskar, Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja have hailed him as India's next all-format cricketer. Big scores in the Duleep Trophy could help him accelerate his case.Shreyas Iyer (Mumbai - West Zone)The Mumbai batter has been in the headlines recently, not for performances but for his absence from India's Asia Cup squad. He lost his place in the Test team at home last season. He is probably the best batter against spin and is a perfect fit for that No. 6 position in India's playing XI. Iyer will be motivated to remind selectors of his class. He last played a Test in early 2024 against England.Sarfraz Khan (Mumbai - West Zone)Few stories in Indian cricket frustrate fans as much as Sarfraz’s. Despite averaging nearly 66 in first-class cricket, he was left out of the Anderson–Tendulkar series. Whenever he’s had chances for India, he’s looked competent, but the opportunities have been sporadic. He enters the Duleep Trophy once again with a point to prove.Rajat Patidar (Madhya Pradesh - Central Zone)The RCB skipper in IPL 2025, Patidar has played for India in Tests against England last year and despite being given a long run, he failed to make an impact. This tournament is another chance to push his way back into selectors’ discussions.Spinners, who can batTanush Kotian (Mumbai - West Zone)One of the most promising spin-bowling all-rounders in the domestic circuit. With Ashwin’s retirement leaving India light on off-spin options, Kotian is under serious consideration. He even received a maiden Test call during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. His batting makes him a like-for-like lower-order replacement for Washington Sundar.Nishant Sindhu (Haryana - North Zone)A versatile left-arm spinning all-rounder, Sindhu has been part of India A tours and age-group setups. His ability to contribute in both departments makes him a valuable long-term investment.Pace batteryMohammed Shami (Bengal - East Zone)Last featured for India in whites in the 2023 World Test Championship Final against Australia. Injuries and recovery time have kept him away from Tests since then, and he was not named in the Anderson–Tendulkar series against England. Still India’s most seasoned seamer, Shami will view the Duleep as a pathway back into the Test side.Mukesh Kumar (Bengal - East Zone)Already capped at international level, Mukesh has slipped behind others in the pecking order. The Duleep Trophy offers him a chance to remind everyone of his reliability and penetration with the new ball.Khaleel Ahmed (Rajasthan - Central Zone)A familiar name who has been in discussions recently and gave strong competition to fellow left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh for the England tour. A fit and firing Khaleel would add variety to the Indian attack.