East Zone announced their squad for the upcoming Duleep Trophy 2025 on Friday, featuring a bowling lineup reminiscent of an Indian team, including Mohammed Shami, Mukesh Kumar, and Akash Deep. However, there is one Bengal pacer who made an entry into the squad after performing well in Ranji Trophy in last two seasons.

Bengal's medium pacer all-rounder Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal has been named in the West Zone squad. Ishan Kishan will lead the side, whereas Abhimanyu Easwaran will be the vice-captain of the team. Right after his selection, Suraj shared his thoughts in an exclusive interview with Sportz Point.

Suraj nearly left cricket in 2023

There was one time when Suraj wanted to leave cricket and went into depression. Suraj had already lost his father, but his mother, brother and coach supported him immensely, and their belief turned into a result when he got selected for the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 season after a great season with Calcutta Customs Club.

Since then, Suraj has been Bengal's highest wicket-taker in consecutive seasons and has taken 60 wickets in just 12 first-class matches at an outstanding average of 15.43. Suraj feels it is his consistency and process that have given him the results so far.

"Feeling very happy after the selection. These selections give you more confidence that I have been doing well. But, I will have to justify this with better performances," Suraj told Sportz Point.

Reflecting back on his journey, Suraj feels he is on the right track but needs to focus on the present without looking too far.

"You know that I was about to leave cricket. But, I have been able to go through that period and representing Bengal in Ranji Trophy was a dream. Now, when I am going into the next stages of Indian cricket, I need to focus on the things at hand and do what has worked well for me."

Read Also: Exclusive Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal: "Jumping out" from tough times to become Bengal's star of the season

"I am honoured"

It will not be new for Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal to bowl alongside Mohammed Shami, Mukesh Kumar or Akash Deep. In the 2024-25 season, Suraj bowled in tandem with India's one of best, Mohammed Shami. But getting selected for the East Zone team when all of these three bowlers are available makes it more special for him. 

"To be honest, I am honoured. Getting into a squad where all of them (Shami, Mukesh and Akash Deep) are there feels special. All of them have played for India, and I am just willing to learn as much as possible from them."

However, it is quite clear as well that with Shami, Mukesh and Akash Deep being there, it would be hard for Suraj to get a game. But for Suraj, he never thinks about selection before the match. For him, selection is never in his hands, and that's why he does not want to think about something which is not under his control.

"Even in Ranji Trophy, I do not think about selection. I try to focus on the preparation and getting ready for them. That has been my habit. So, in Duleep Trophy, I will just focus on my preparation," Suraj expressed.

Read Also: Exclusive Akash Pandey: Former Bengal U19 star is inspired by Sarfraz Khan's journey, takes 9/71 against Goa in Ranji Trophy

"Don't want to think too far"

It was in tournaments like the Duleep Trophy where Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep made their names before getting that India cap. Is Suraj thinking about that too?

"No. I just want to keep doing what I have done well to get here," he answered.

"Yes, the dream is to get there (the Indian team). But I do not want to think too far and lose my focus. I trust in God and whatever he chooses for him. I just want to keep improving myself."

Apart from his bowling, Suraj last season proved himself with the bat as well. With his maiden first-class ton against Punjab in the last of the season, Suraj showed he is ready to be an all-rounder as well. By the way, he also took 8 wickets in that match.

"It is about contributing to the team, with bat, ball or fielding. Helping the team is the main goal. Yes, I have been working on my batting as well. So, feels good to have a first-class ton beside my name, but I need to keep improving.

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East Zone squad for Duleep Trophy 2025

Ishan Kishan (C), Abhimanyu Easwaran (VC), Sandeep Pattnaik, Virat Singh, Denish Das, Sridam Paul, Sharandeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra, Riyan Parag, Utkarsh Singh, Manishi, Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, Mohammed Shami.

Stand bys: Mukhtar Hussain, Aasirwad Swain, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Swastik Samal, Sudip Kr Gharami, Rahul Singh.

Duleep Trophy 2025 Schedule

The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) is all set to celebrate the remarkable achievements of its cricketers as it announced the awardees for the 2024-25 season. The awards ceremony will recognise exceptional talent across various categories, spanning senior men’s, senior women’s, and junior levels, including under-23, under-19, under-16, under-15, and club league categories. 

When is the C.A.B. Award Ceremony?

As per multiple reports, the C.A.B. Award Ceremony for the 2024-25 season will take place on 30 August 2025 at the Dhana Dhanya Auditorium in Kolkata.

Who are the winners?

In the senior men’s category, Sudip Gharami was named Cricketer of the Year, while Shahbaz Ahmed and Sayan Ghosh shared the Gentleman Cricketer and Best Fast Bowler awards, respectively. This is the second time Gharami will recieve the Cricketer of the Year Award.

Read Also: Bengal Players in IPL 2025 – Full List & Performance

Sudip Chatterjee earned the Highest Run Getter for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy, and Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal will be honoured as the Highest Wicket Taker in the same tournament.

Read Also: Exclusive: 'Honoured' Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal can't wait to bowl alongside Indian pacers in Duleep Trophy 2025

The senior women’s category saw Tanusree Sarkar and Dhara Gujjar clinching the Highest Run Getter awards in the T-20 and One Day Tournaments, respectively, with Saika Ishaque recognised as the Highest Wicket Taker in the T-20 Tournament. Tanusree also won the Best Senior Women's Cricketer of the Year Award.

Both Tanusree and Dhara are with the India-A team in Australia at the moment.

Read Also: Bengal Women's Cricket Exclusive: Two out of two finals, record chase against Haryana, Jhulan Goswami, WPL and more

Among the junior categories, Rahul Prasad dominated the under-23 men’s section, securing multiple awards, including Best Cricketer and Highest Wicket Taker.

Read Also: From delivering online food to getting selected for India U-19 camp, Rahul Prasad's journey is an inspiring one

Dyuti Paul and Sushmita Ganguly shone in the under-23 women’s category, with Paul named Best Women's U-23 Cricketer and Ganguly as the Highest Wicket-taker for Bengal in Women's Under-23 One Day Tournament.

Read Also: Bengal Cricket: 7 U-19 cricketers from Bengal who can play for India in future

In the under-19 category, Vishal Bhati emerged as a key figure, winning Best Cricketer and Highest Wicket Taker, while Ipshita Mondal led the under-19 women’s section with the Highest Run Getter awards.

Sachin Yadav and Sandipta Patra were standout performers in the under-16 and under-15 categories, respectively, with Yadav named Best Bowler and Patra the Highest Run Getter.

The club league category will see Sayan Paul being honoured as the Best Under-19 Cricketer, rounding off a comprehensive recognition of talent across all levels. 

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Cricket Association of Bengal Award Winners 2024-2025

Senior Men's

Senior Women's

Men's Under-23

Women's Under-23

Men's Under-19

Women's Under-19

Men's Under-16

Women's Under-15

Men's Under-19 Club League

BCCI has announced the schedule for the upcoming Duleep Trophy 2025 which begins on August 28 in Bengaluru. After this, the announcement of the names of team captains has also started. This time also, like the old format, teams from four zones will participate in it. Now, as per the latest developments, the squad of West Zone has been announced.

While Shardul Thakur has been made the new captain of the team, Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara have not found a place in the team.

Also Read: Sachin-Sourav, Mahela-Sanga: 5 best cricketing friendships in history

Shreyas and Jaiswal will play under Shardul's captaincy

The West Zone team has been announced for the Duleep Trophy. This time the captaincy has been handed over to Shardul Thakur. Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal will be seen playing under the captaincy of Shardul Thakur. Apart from this, Sarfaraz Khan, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Tushar Deshpande have also been included in the team.  

However, Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara, who have been playing continuously for this team, are not seen in the squad this time.

Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane last played a Test match for India in 2023. Pujara played a crucial role in India’s Test series victories in Australia in 2018-19 and 2020-21. Notably, Rahane captained Team India to a memorable Border-Gavaskar Trophy win in 2020-21 despite several key players being unavailable.

Shreyas Iyer set to available for West Zone

Shreyas Iyer had made himself available for the upcoming Duleep Trophy. The middle-order batter has played 14 Test matches for India. However, he has not been part of the Test setup since February 2024, when he last featured against England.

Iyer was a key figure in India’s Champions Trophy-winning campaign in Dubai earlier this year. He also scored 480 runs in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy at an average of 68.57, including two centuries. He continued his form into the IPL, where he led Punjab Kings to their first final in over a decade.

Also Read: ICC Rankings: Abhishek Sharma becomes No.1 T20I batter, Gill and Hardik at top in ODI, Bumrah in tests

Duleep Trophy | West Zone squad

Shardul Thakur (Capt), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Aarya Desai, Harvik Desai (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Jaymeet Patel, Manan Hingrajia, Saurabh Nawale (wk), Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Dharmendra Jadeja, Tushar Deshpande, Arzan Nagwaswala.

Duleep Trophy 2025 full schedule

According to Cricbuzz, South Zone and West Zone have been handed direct qualification into the Duleep Trophy 2025 semifinals. And the two quarterfinals are already set.

The entire cricketing world now recognizes the name Akash Deep, who dismantled the English batting lineup at Edgbaston, helping India achieve a historic victory in Birmingham.

His first-ever 10-wicket haul in a match places him alongside the greats of Indian cricket, such as Chetan Sharma, Kapil Dev, and Ishant Sharma. 

Not only that, he has now listed himself beside legend Michael Holding for dismissing four of England’s top five batsmen in a single Test innings (Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Ollie Pope), all without catches, relying on bowled or LBW dismissals. 

"Keep an eye on this guy," Goswami tweeted in 2020

Shreevats Goswami, a former Bengal and IPL cricketer, recognised early on that Akash Deep was destined for the international stage. In fact, he was the first to alert the world about Akash Deep back in 2020.

Right after Akash Deep's only second Ranji Trophy game, where Akash Deep picked up a five-wicket haul, Shreevats tweeted out, "Keep an eye on this guy, Akash Deep is a rare 'fast 'bowler in domestic cricket. Surely to watch out for in future. And he can tonk a few too."

Keep an eye on this guy , Akash deep is a rare “fast “ bowler in domestic cricket . Surely to watch out for in future. And he can tonk a few too . https://t.co/2wXw3MUHsg

— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) January 7, 2020

"Yes, I knew from the beginning that he was built for greatness," Shreevats told Sportz Point after Akash Deep's historic spell at Edgbaston. 

Reflecting on Akash's maiden five-wicket haul in an innings, Shreevats remarked, "It was just a matter of time. After the first inning, I called him and said that he would get it in the second inning."

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"He hits the gloves hard"

What led him to believe Akash Deep could become a future international star? "It was his pace and strength," Shreevats replied.

"He was raw. Some bowlers hit the gloves very hard, and Akash Deep was one of them," he recalled, emphasising the potential he saw in him during the Ranji Trophy and other domestic tournaments.

"He was very young back then, and I knew with time, he would get faster and stronger. This is exactly what happened in the next two to three years."

In the next three years, Akash Deep played in the Indian Premier League alongside his favourite Virat Kohli and also helped Bengal reach the final of the Ranji Trophy, and then in 2024 went on to earn the Test cap as well. 

"You see him, you will notice how strong he is - physically and mentally. He has gone through so many tough times, but nothing could distract him from his goal.

Great singing for @RCBTweets . Akash deep is a gun bowler who can clock 140+ consistently. He’s fit and strong . Have been amazing for Bengal recently . So happy for him ! Amazing guy too . Hope he gets a few game to show his class . pic.twitter.com/cyWe47djWJ

— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) August 30, 2021

Read Also | "Nothing to celebrate yet, the goal is to win the Ranji Trophy:" Bengal's Akash Deep after match-winning 10 wicket-haul

Akash Deep's journey - a testament to mental strength

Since his early days, Akash Deep has faced many challenges in his career and personal life.

Born in Bihar, he initially encountered rejection from his father regarding his pursuit of cricket. In 2010, he moved to Durgapur, West Bengal, in search of a job and later relocated to Kolkata.

With the assistance of a few local club officials, he signed with the United Club and began his journey in Bengal cricket. He excelled in local club cricket and was soon fast-tracked to the Bengal U-23 team, where he played a pivotal role in helping Bengal reach the final of the C.K. Nayudu tournament and win the U-23 One-Day tournament.

He quickly progressed to the Bengal senior team, and as they say, the rest is history. Even a career-threatening back injury and the loss of his brother and father within six months in 2015 could not break his mental resolve.

Following the Edgbaston Test, he revealed that his sister is battling cancer and dedicated his performance to her. These experiences illustrate his remarkable mental toughness.

Read Also | Akash Deep from Ranji Trophy to test cricket 

"He always had the hunger:" Shreevats

Along with his resilience, another quality that sets Akash apart is his hunger for improvement and greatness.

"He used to live in the C.A.B. dormitory. Many cricketers were around, but whenever I visited the indoor facilities or gym, I would always see Akash Deep putting in the effort. He always had the hunger to reach the international level," Shreevats shared.

Read Also | Bengal Players in IPL 2025 – Full List & Performance

"Duckett will be Akash Deep's bunny"

Shreevats feels Akash Deep's ability to hit the wicket hard and extract something from the pitch will help him even on flatter pitches. Moreover, he can beat the batter's outside edge and inside edge, which makes him more threatening. 

"He will beat your outside edge and inside edge. This is something which sets him apart from the other domestic bowlers."

"Look at the wicket of Joe Root - how he went wide of the crease, angled the ball and then straightened it to get Root out was just incredible."

Along with Joe Root's wicket, Shreevats was impressed to see how Akash Deep got Ben Duckett out. He feels that if Akash Deep and Ben Duckett face each other more in test cricket, he will make Ben his bunny. 

"Just like Stuart Broad made David Warner his bunny in test cricket, I have the feeling that Akash Deep can also make Ben Duckett his bunny. Around the wicket, with the new ball - he will be deadly," Shreevats expressed. 

Ben Duckett vs Akash Deep in Tests. 🤯

3 - Innings.
3 - Wickets.
3 - Batting Average. pic.twitter.com/6dQHTeiOYA

— All Cricket Records (@Cric_records45) July 6, 2025

Who should share the new ball at Lord's?

 Shreevats feels that in the next test at Lord's, Akash Deep should share the new ball alongside Jasprit Bumrah. Throughout the entire second test, Akash Deep showed how lethal he is with the new ball, and that is why he wants him to run in with the new ball. 

"He is capable of getting you wickets in any given situation. But, just how he has got Duckett and others out, I feel he should share the new ball along with Bumrah," Shreevats said. 

Besides his bowling, Shreevats has always praised Akash Deep's batting ability from the start. He feels that Akash can even score a test ton in the next three to four years, given the opportunity. 

In a sensational display of all-round brilliance, Mita Paul powered Lux Shyam Kolkata Tigers to a stunning 16-run win (DLS method) over Sobisco Smashers Malda in a rain-affected Bengal Women's Pro T20 League 2025 final match held at the iconic Eden Gardens.

Named Player of the Match, Mita Paul’s performance was nothing short of legendary, blazing an innings of 51 runs off just 52 balls and then slicing through the opposition with the ball, claiming 2 crucial wickets for just 12 runs in a miserly spell of 3 overs. Her heroics not only anchored her team’s innings but also dismantled the Malda batting line-up when it mattered most.

Read Also | Women's Cricket Exclusive: Mita Paul wants to take her game to a new level with a more attacking game plan

Batting first, Lux Shyam Kolkata Tigers were bowled out for 104 in 19.5 overs. Apart from Mita’s knock, Parna Paul chipped in with a useful 14. For the Sobisco Smashers, Jeni Parveen was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 8, but her efforts fell short in the face of Mita’s dominance.

In reply, Sobisco Smashers Malda collapsed to 22 for 4 in just 5.2 overs, failing to cope with the twin spin threats of Mita Paul and Prativa Mandi (2-0-10-2). None of the Malda batters could reach double digits, underlining the complete dominance of the Tigers’ bowling unit.

Read Also | Bengal Women's Cricket Exclusive: Two out of two finals, record chase against Haryana, Jhulan Goswami, WPL and more

This electrifying win cements Lux Shyam Kolkata Tigers’ reputation as fierce competitors and showcases Mita Paul as a true match-winner, rising to the occasion when it mattered most.

Bengal has a deep-rooted passion for cricket, and the IPL offers a great opportunity to have their local talents compete at the highest level. Several players from Bengal were a part of the exciting IPL 2025 season.

Whether through match-winning spells, consistent contribution, or vital innings, their presence was always prominent in the season. Check out the full list and performance of Bengal Players in IPL 2025 along with their on-field impact.

1. Mohammed Shami (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

Mohammed Shami has been a long-standing and key figure in Bengal's domestic cricketing landscape. After being ruled out of the previous IPL season (2024) due to an ankle injury, he made a comeback this year as Sunrisers Hyderabad's key pick and second-highest buy for ₹10 crore.

Shami had a somewhat mixed IPL 2025 season and struggled with consistency and his lengths. After his stellar Purple Cap-winning season in 2023, his 2025 campaign saw him take 6 wickets in 9 matches, with an economy of 11.25.

However, Shami continued to prove his excellence by becoming the only bowler in IPL history to claim a first-ball wicket 4 times. He achieved the fourth one by dismissing Shaik Rasheed in the SRH vs CSK match in the 2025 season.

Shami IPL 2025 stats:

Read Also: Will Sanju Samson join CSK for IPL 2026? Manager's hint fuels mega transfer rumours

2. Abishek Porel (Delhi Capitals)

Born in Chandannagar, West Bengal, Abishek Porel is a true local and a proud representative of the state. He was retained for ₹4 crore by Delhi Capitals, where he continued to showcase his brilliance as a wicket-keeper batter.

He began this season with a good pace and proved to be vital by accelerating the run flow when needed. He scored 301 runs in 13 matches, which makes him the second-highest scorer for DC this season.

While his form and the team's overall performance had a slight dip towards the latter part of the tournament, his contributions as a top-order batter were undeniable. He proved that he can adapt to different batting positions and do well.

Porel IPL 2025 stats:

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3. Mukesh Kumar (Delhi Capitals)

Mukesh Kumar is another example of an incredible pacer who plays for Bengal in domestic cricket and has done exceptionally well in the stage of IPL. Following his brilliant 2024 season for DC, he was retained this year for ₹8 crore via RTM (Right to Match).

He proved to be a reliable performer, delivering effective spells in death overs and under pressure. His ability to use variations and bowl yorkers with accuracy made him a key part of the team's bowling unit.

He delivered a standout performance in IPL 2025 against LSG with his 4-wicket haul and great spell, which earned him the POTM award after their victory.

Kumar IPL 2025 stats:

Read Also: Top 5 underrated players in IPL 2025

4. Akash Deep (Lucknow Super Giants)

Hailing from Bihar, Akash Deep moved to Bengal to pursue cricket and performed well in the domestic field, then later making it to the India 'A' team. In IPL 2025, he was secured by Lucknow Super Giants for ₹8 crore and played 6 matches.

Akash missed some initial games due to a back injury, and later bounced back to showcase a glimpse of his quality and experience as a fast-medium bowler.

There wasn't any particular "game-changing" performance or moment for him this season, but his contributions were a part of LSG's overall bowling efforts.

Akash IPL 2025 stats:

5. Shahbaz Ahmed (Lucknow Super Giants)

A keu all-rounder for Bengal's state team, Shahbaz Ahmed was bought for ₹2.4 crore in the mega auction by Lucknow Super Giants. He played a supporting role in IPL 2025 and provided depth in their squad.

He played only 3 matches, where he came out to bat for a single innings and took 1 wicket in the entire season. While the 2025 season did not see any noteworthy performance, his presence in the squad was enough to back then up and bring flexibility as an all-rounder option.

Read Also: Is 2025 the miraculous year in sports history?

Ahmed IPL 2025 stats: