KL Rahul out of Duleep Trophy 2026 final! Siraj, Padikkal join South Zone against Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s team

South Zone captain Tilak Varma has confirmed that KL Rahul will not feature in the playing 11 for the Duleep Trophy final against East Zone.

The summit clash is scheduled to begin on Sunday at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. South Zone, meanwhile, have received a boost with Mohammed Siraj and Devdutt Padikkal joining the squad for the crucial final.

The match will also see several India hopefuls in action, including Ishan Kishan, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Mohammed Shami and Tilak Varma.

Tilak confirmed on Saturday that Rahul is not with the South Zone squad in Chennai. “KL bhai isn’t there,” Tilak told reporters during the pre-match press conference.

Rahul, Siraj and Padikkal had reportedly been asked by the national selection committee to turn up for the Duleep Trophy final. However, Rahul will now miss the match, while Siraj and Padikkal have joined the South Zone setup.

The Duleep Trophy final begins on Sunday, September 6. South Zone will face East Zone in the title clash. The match will be played over five days, with both sides aiming to finish the tournament on a high.

The Duleep Trophy final will take place at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The venue is set to witness a strong contest, with several established international players and promising youngsters featuring in the two teams.

East Zone will have the likes of Mohammed Shami, Ishan Kishan and Vaibhav Suryavanshi, while South Zone have added Siraj and Padikkal to their lineup.

Tilak did not provide a specific reason for Rahul’s absence. Rahul was reportedly among the players asked to participate in the final, but he is not part of the South Zone squad in Chennai.

The focus now shifts to the players who will take the field, with South Zone looking to make the most of their strengthened squad.

South Zone captain Tilak Varma believes Devdutt Padikkal’s return will significantly strengthen the team’s batting.

Padikkal arrives in excellent form after being named Player of the Series in Sri Lanka. The Karnataka batter scored centuries in both Tests in Galle and Colombo, making his inclusion a major boost for South Zone. Tilak praised Padikkal’s recent form and said his experience could prove valuable in the final.

South Zone have also added Mohammed Siraj to their squad for the final. Siraj’s experience at the international level could be crucial for a relatively young South Zone side.

Tilak believes the presence of both Siraj and Padikkal will provide valuable experience to the younger members of the team. He added that their current form makes their inclusion an even bigger advantage.

Tilak also revealed South Zone’s likely batting combination for the final. Ricky Bhui is expected to continue opening alongside N Jagadeesan.

Bhui has spent considerable time batting in the middle order but has experience as an opener. Tilak explained that Bhui is a senior player who can adapt to the role when required. Devdutt Padikkal is expected to bat at No. 3, giving South Zone more depth and stability at the top of the order.

The Duleep Trophy final will also be important for players who are part of India’s upcoming T20I plans. Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan and Vaibhav Suryavanshi are expected to join the India camp after completing their Duleep Trophy commitments.

The trio will travel to New Delhi ahead of India’s three-match T20I series against Afghanistan. The series is scheduled to begin on September 13 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

With several India players involved, the Duleep Trophy final promises to be an important opportunity for both established names and youngsters looking to make their mark.

HomeSportsCricketKL Rahul out of Duleep Trophy 2026 final! Siraj, Padikkal join South Zone against Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's team