KL Rahul to Miss Duleep Trophy Final; Padikkal and Siraj Set to Shine

KL Rahul's absence from the Duleep Trophy final has been confirmed by South Zone captain Tilak Varma. The BCCI had called upon Rahul to participate, but he will not be available. In his place, Devdutt Padikkal and Mohammed Siraj are set to join the team, with Varma expressing confidence in their ability to enhance the squad's performance. Padikkal's recent form, including two centuries against Sri Lanka, positions him as a key player for South Zone. This final match promises to be an exciting showdown as the team looks to leverage the experience of its new members.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 5, 2026, 18:03 IST

KL Rahul's Absence Confirmed for Duleep Trophy Final

KL Rahul, the vice-captain of India's Test team, will not participate in the upcoming Duleep Trophy final, as confirmed by Tilak Varma, the captain of the South Zone team.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had requested Rahul to play in this crucial match of India's top zonal red-ball tournament. Alongside Rahul, the BCCI also called upon Devdutt Padikkal and Mohammed Siraj to join the South Zone squad for the final.

Speaking to reporters in Chennai ahead of the final showdown between East Zone and South Zone, Varma stated, 'KL bhai (Rahul) isn’t there.'

Impact of Padikkal and Siraj's Inclusion

Varma expressed confidence that Padikkal's addition would significantly enhance the batting strength of South Zone. He emphasized that both Padikkal and Siraj's current form and experience would greatly benefit the team, especially its younger members.

'Devdutt Padikkal's entry will really bolster our batting lineup. His recent performances in the last couple of games have been impressive, making his presence a substantial advantage for us,' Tilak remarked.

'Their (Padikkal and Siraj) current form will be a tremendous asset. They can impart their experience to our younger players, which is crucial for our team dynamics,' he added.

Padikkal has been in exceptional form lately, having scored two centuries during the recent two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.