Duleep Trophy: The board instructed all the zones to retain contractual cricketers in their squad for the next domestic event, which stoked the flames. According to a report in Cricbuzz, the South Zone selectors have disregarded the BCCI and left contracted players out of the Duleep Trophy roster.

Not being on the squad previously, star Indian cricketers KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Sai Sudharsan, and Prasidh Krishna may not be selected for the inter-zonal red-ball event.

South Zone authorities have chosen not to abide by the BCCI’s advice, which was conveyed to state organizations via email last month.

The article claims that South Zone sources have said unequivocally that they are staying with the squad that was revealed on July 26 for the time being. The team’s only contracted cricket player is captain Tilak Varma.

Officials from the South Zone argue that national selectors shouldn’t choose zonal teams and that the BCCI should, if necessary, require contracted players to compete in the Ranji Trophy.

The selectors believe that India A matches are a better option for elite Indian players.

For the first time in the competition’s 90-edition history, Kerala advanced to the Ranji Trophy final and nearly lost. Cricbuzz cited a South Zone official as stating, “They had an incredible season and their players deserved selection for the Duleep Trophy.”

Four cricket players from Kerala, three from Hyderabad, two each from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, and one each from Pondicherry and Goa make up the 15-man squad.

It was decided during the selection meeting to exclusively send domestic performers to the multi-day event, and the committee’s minutes reflected this decision.

The South Zone, who finished second in the last competition, has secured a straight spot in the semifinals, which will begin on September 4.