The buzz around Indian domestic cricket is reaching fever pitch as the 2025-26 season springs to life, and all eyes are on the Duleep Trophy, the traditional curtain-raiser for the year. With India’s home Test season looming and the sting of last year’s whitewash by New Zealand still fresh, selectors face intense pressure to revamp the squad with in-form talent. The early contests have thrown up a crop of standout performers, some of whom may be on the brink of a coveted Test call-up, while off the field, a flurry of high-profile domestic transfers is reshaping state teams across the country.
Let’s start with the Duleep Trophy, where Rajat Patidar has stormed back into the limelight. After a rocky Test debut against England last year, Patidar has shrugged off the disappointment and is now topping the run charts in the ongoing tournament. His resurgence couldn’t have come at a better time for India, especially with Karun Nair’s recent struggles in the middle order. Patidar’s current purple patch, as of September 14, 2025, has not gone unnoticed. With the selectors searching for solidity and form, he’s become a hot contender for a return to the Test squad. As the pressure mounts on the hosts to bounce back from their humbling by New Zealand, fresh faces like Patidar could be the spark India desperately needs.
But Patidar isn’t the only one making waves. Harsh Dubey, a left-arm spinner with a knack for picking up wickets, has been quietly building his case. After a prolific Ranji Trophy campaign last season, Dubey has continued his form into the Duleep Trophy, grabbing wickets and turning heads. The selectors seem to be looking beyond Axar Patel for a backup to Ravindra Jadeja, and Dubey’s all-round abilities make him an intriguing prospect. His performances have already earned him a spot in the India A squad for the upcoming series against Australia A—a clear signal that he’s firmly on the radar for higher honors.
Meanwhile, N Jagadeesan, who was a backup wicket-keeper in the last Test against England, is another name in the mix. With Rishabh Pant’s fitness still uncertain, Jagadeesan’s consistent form could see him don the gloves for India again. It’s a tantalizing opportunity for the Tamil Nadu player, who’ll be eager to seize the moment if it arrives. The wicket-keeper slot remains one of the most fiercely contested positions in Indian cricket, and Jagadeesan’s recent exploits have certainly strengthened his case.
The story isn’t just about who’s knocking on the doors of national selection. The domestic landscape itself is undergoing a dramatic shake-up, with several prominent players switching allegiances ahead of the new season. Chief among them is left-arm spinner J Suchith, who, after a successful stint with Nagaland where he topped the Plate group wicket charts with a staggering 43 scalps in just six first-class matches last season, has now moved to Uttarakhand. Suchith’s journey through Karnataka, Nagaland, and now Uttarakhand highlights the fluidity and competitiveness of India’s domestic scene. He’s joined by opener Prashant Chopra and batter Bhupen Lalwani, both of whom bring strong credentials to their new team.
Chopra’s move has raised eyebrows, given his stellar track record with Himachal Pradesh. The seasoned opener, who debuted as an 18-year-old in the 2011 Vijay Hazare Trophy, racked up 386 runs in seven first-class matches last season, including a mammoth 171 against Uttarakhand—the very state he now represents. With over 5,000 runs in 81 first-class matches, 4,012 runs in 103 List A games at an average of 41.79, and more than 2,000 T20 runs at a healthy strike rate, Chopra’s experience will be invaluable for Uttarakhand as they look to make a mark in the Premier League and beyond.
Lalwani, who has previously turned out for Mumbai and Chhattisgarh, is another intriguing addition. Though his domestic career has been relatively short, with 16 first-class and three List A matches since debuting in 2020, Lalwani’s hunger for opportunities could see him blossom in new surroundings. The trio’s arrival in Uttarakhand is part of a broader trend, with other high-profile moves including Karun Nair’s return to Karnataka, Harshal Patel’s switch back to Gujarat from Haryana, and Jalaj Saxena’s move from Kerala to Maharashtra. These transfers have set the stage for a fiercely competitive domestic season, as teams jostle for supremacy and players vie for national attention.
Of course, no discussion about India’s Test prospects is complete without mentioning Shreyas Iyer. Despite not being a regular fixture in either the Test or T20I squads, Iyer’s omission from the India A squad for the upcoming one-day series against Australia A has sparked debate. Some speculate that the selectors are prioritizing domestic performers, while others wonder if Iyer is being rested or preserved for a bigger role. After all, Iyer’s recent form has been nothing short of spectacular. In the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy, he hammered 325 runs in just five innings at a blistering strike rate of 131.57, remaining unbeaten twice and notching up two centuries. His average? A jaw-dropping 325, having been dismissed only once.
Iyer’s Ranji Trophy exploits last season further bolster his case. Though he missed several matches due to national commitments, when he did play, he made it count—scoring 146 against Maharashtra and a commanding 233 against Odisha, both from the middle order. Those runs may have come against less formidable opposition, but they underscore his ability to go big when set. With Karun Nair failing to cement the middle-order spot against England, and with Iyer’s renowned prowess against spin—remember that unforgettable knock against Bangladesh?—it’s no surprise that whispers of a Test comeback are growing louder. As things stand, he could well slot in at number five or six for the upcoming West Indies series, especially if Pant remains sidelined.
The selection conundrum is further complicated by the need to address India’s recent home Test woes. The shock defeat to New Zealand last year has left the team and fans alike searching for answers. Will the selectors opt for the tried and tested, or will they gamble on in-form domestic stars like Patidar, Dubey, or even a rejuvenated Iyer? The stakes couldn’t be higher, and every run, wicket, and catch in the ongoing Duleep Trophy and other domestic tournaments is being scrutinized like never before.
As the domestic season unfolds, the performances of these rising stars and seasoned campaigners will shape not just the fortunes of their respective state teams, but also the very future of Indian cricket. With new faces eager to make their mark, returning veterans hungry for redemption, and a Test team in need of fresh impetus, the coming months promise drama, competition, and plenty of surprises. For now, fans and selectors alike will be watching every ball, every run, and every wicket with bated breath, knowing that the next big star could be just one innings away from international stardom.
