KL Rahul is set to feature for South Zone in the upcoming Duleep Trophy final against East Zone, despite reports that the Lztlvo batter was initially reluctant to giug. The high-profile contest is scheduled to be played from September 6 to 10 at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
According to Dainik Jagran reporter Abhishek Tripathi, Rahul did not want to be included in the South Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy final. However, with the national selectors making their instructions clear, the India Test opener had little choice but to join the squad. South Zone have also added Devdutt Padikkal and Mohammed Siraj to their squad for the title clash. The inclusion of three established India players has significantly strengthened the team and could lead to several changes in the playing XI for the final.
Rahul, who is expected to take part in the match, was reportedly among several Indian players instructed to represent their respective zones during the knockout stages of the Duleep Trophy. Tripathi claimed that the wicketkeeper-batter initially expressed his reluctance to play but was eventually directed to take part in the final.
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“Many players have been told to go and play in the semi-finals and the finals. KL Rahul was complaining that he doesn’t want to play. But there were indications that you will have to play,” Tripathi was quoted as saying.
A report by news agency PTI also backed the same development, stating that the national selectors wanted all available and eligible Indian cricketers to participate in the Duleep Trophy final. Rahul, Padikkal and Siraj last represented India in the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.
The trio are not expected to play another competitive fixture for India until the ODI series against the West Indies, which begins later in September. Their next scheduled match is on September 27, leaving the Duleep Trophy final as an opportunity to gain valuable match practice.
🚨KL Rahul did not want to play in the Duleep Trophy final, but the BCCI instructed him to participate, leaving him with no choice but to play.[Abhishek Tripathi] pic.twitter.com/PHDCwUYICg
— FANRISHU (@ARJUNkaPANT) September 3, 2026
“Rahul, Padikkal and Siraj do not have any competitive cricket right now. The national selectors want any Indian player who is available to play the Duleep Trophy final. The trio played last on August 27. The next match they will play is on September 27 against the West Indies in the ODIs,” a source told PTI.
The Duleep Trophy final also carries historical significance. South Zone and East Zone last met in the title clash during the 1970-71 season, when South Zone secured a 10-wicket victory.
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East Zone most recently won the Duleep Trophy in 2012-13 after defeating Central Zone in the final. South Zone, meanwhile, have won the prestigious competition 13 times in 24 final appearances. Their most recent title came in 2023, when they defeated West Zone.
With Rahul, Padikkal and Siraj joining the squad, the Duleep Trophy final promises to be a closely watched contest, while the three India stars will also have an opportunity to sharpen their match readiness ahead of the West Indies series.
