The commencement of the 2026 domestic red-ball season brings high stakes to the Board of Control for Cricket in India Centre of Excellence as the Duleep Trophy gets underway. With the national side undergoing a gradual transition and facing demanding assignments in the ICC World Test Championship cycle, selectorial scrutiny is at an all-time high.
For emerging talents, the zonal tournament provides an entry ramp to India A selection. For seasoned internationals fighting to reclaim their places in the Test squad, however, this competition serves as a critical proving ground. Failure to deliver substantial performances now risks permanently shutting the door on their red-ball careers.
On that note, here are five players who must capitalize on the 2026 Duleep Trophy to mount a Test comeback.
#1 Ishan Kishan (East Zone)
Ishan Kishan’s road back to Test cricket demands sustained red-ball discipline and substantial run-scoring. Leading East Zone as captain and wicketkeeper, the 28-year-old left-hander possesses an aggressive counter-attacking approach that previously earned him a Test debut against the West Indies.
However, losing his central contract following extended time away from first-class fixtures knocked him down the pecking order. With Rishabh Pant firmly occupying the premier slot and Dhruv Jurel cementing his status as the primary backup, Kishan cannot rely solely on quick cameos.
To force his way into touring parties, he must balance sharp work behind the stumps with long, authoritative innings that showcase patience against quality seam and spin.
#2 Mohammad Shami (East Zone)
Veteran fast bowler Mohammad Shami remains one of India’s most lethal seamers, but recurring fitness setbacks have kept him away from extended Test action. Turning out for an East Zone bowling unit alongside Mukesh Kumar, the 35-year-old seamer faces a fitness and workload audition rather than a test of skill.
The national selection panel will monitor his rhythm, upright seam release, and endurance through multi-over spells across four-day matches. Maintaining a consistent 140 kph pace and executing reverse swing in domestic heat will prove to the team management that his body can withstand the rigors of five-day contests overseas.
#3 Prithvi Shaw (West Zone)
Once viewed as a generational top-order prodigy following a debut Test century as a teenager, Prithvi Shaw finds himself on the outer fringes of the national setup. The 26-year-old Mumbai batter has repeatedly shown destructive intent across formats, but technical lapses around the off-stump and fitness concerns have repeatedly interrupted his progress.
Turning out for a star-studded West Zone lineup, Shaw must face testing early morning spells on sporting tracks. Converting his trademark back-foot punches and fluent boundary-hitting into match-defining centuries will prove that he has refined his shot selection and built the temperament required to challenge India’s settled Test opening pairs.
#4 Rajat Patidar (Central Zone)
Rajat Patidar’s brief initial stint in the Test arena during the 2024 home series against England yielded just 63 runs in six innings, resulting in his omission.
Entrusted with the captaincy of Central Zone, the Madhya Pradesh batter receives an ideal platform to reset his international trajectory. A compact strokeplayer with crisp back-foot technique against pace and exceptional footwork against spin, Patidar must deliver heavy totals against top-tier zonal bowling attacks.
A tournament-defining run haul combined with assured leadership will demonstrate that his previous Test struggles were merely an aberration.
#5 Shardul Thakur (West Zone)
Shardul Thakur has built a reputation as a crisis man, producing vital overseas Test half-centuries in Brisbane, The Oval, and Centurion alongside key bowling spells.
However, injuries and the emergence of younger seam-bowling all-rounders have squeezed him out of the main squad. Representing the West Zone, Thakur needs to reassert his value as a dependable fifth-bowler option and a genuine lower-order counter-puncher.
Showcasing the endurance to bowl testing 15-over days and adding valuable first-class runs under pressure will keep him at the forefront of seam-friendly overseas Test selections.
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Edited by Ankush Das