Devdutt Padikkal, Mohammed Siraj named in South Zone squad for Duleep Trophy final

By MagnetGuy

**Duleep Final: Padikkal & Siraj Boost South Zone Ahead of Chennai Showdown** South Zone have picked up major firepower for the Duleep Trophy 2026-27 final against East Zone. Devdutt Padikkal and Mohammed Siraj have joined the squad, travelling straight from India's ongoing Test series in Sri Lanka. The five-day clash runs Sept 6-10 at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. **The Big Picture:** Selection speaks volumes about the management's agenda—keeping main-team Testers match-fit ahead of the T20I window. Tilak Varma flags South Zone, Ishan Kishan take charge of East Zone. Note: B Sai Sudharsan (toe injury) is recovering but NOT in this squad—being assessed for the India A series vs Australia (Sept 22, Puducherry). **Padikkal's Case:** Hot streak in SL—328 runs across three innings at No. 3, two centuries. Hands South Zone a settled, in-form bat up top for a high-stakes final. Also his first back-to-back Tests since his 2024 debut—clearly maturing as a Test player. **Siraj's Case:** Rhythm personified—4 wickets in each of the two SL Tests. Adds serious teeth to a pace attack that'll get tested across five days on a Chennai deck. **Bowling Watch:** One yellow flag—Vidwath Kaverappa (South Zone's best bwl in the semifinal) has picked up a niggle. CV Milind drafted in as seam cover as insurance. **Final Call Pending:** Tilak Varma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, and Ishan Kishan all expected to feature—but a late call from team management could pull any of them for the T20Is against Afghanistan (from Sept 13). Worth watching before placing bets. *Bottom line: South Zone's batting and bowling both strengthened. Chennai surface + five days + T20I distraction = genuine toss-up. I'd back the home-conditioned side here.* Source: Crictracker