With the onset of the Indian domestic season in a few days’ time, the wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan-led East Zone have been handed a massive setback. With the Duleep Trophy set to kickstart the domestic season in India, the East Zone is set to miss the services of Indian pacer Akash Deep, who has been reportedly struggling with some injury.

The Bengal pacer, who was initially named in the 15-member squad, alongside the likes of Mohammed Shami, Mukesh Kumar, among others - last featured in the recently concluded 2-2 drawn Test series against England in the UK. The Indian pacer took 13 wickets in three Tests, averaging 36.46.

Mukhtar Hussain named Akash Deep’s replacement in East Zone for Duleep Trophy 2025

As per a report quoting PTI, there remains no clarity over whether Akash Deep fitness. While the Indian pacer suffered a groin injury in the third Test at Lord’s and was ruled out of the subsequent Test match, he returned for the fifth and final Test, but was hit on the leg while trying to save a boundary off Harry Brook’s shot. While Deep is set to remain out, the East Zone have named Assam pacer Mukhtar Hussain as his replacement.

Mukhtar makes his way after being earlier named in the standby list, which also consists of youngster Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Swastik Samal, Sudip Kumar and Rahul Singh. Speaking of the tournament, the Duleep Trophy is set to return to its original zonal format, featuring six teams - North, South, West, East, Central and NorthEast.

The first-class tournament will be played at the new Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru and will feature star India cricketers including Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Md Shami, Mukesh Kumar, Arshdeep Singh and several others.

East Zone squad for Duleep Trophy 2025

Ishan Kishan (captain), Abhimanyu Easwaran (vc), Sandeep Patnaik, Virat Singh, Denish Das, Sridam Paul, Sharandeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra, Riyan Parag, Utkarsh Singh, Manishi, Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal, Mukesh Kumar, Mukhtar Hussain, Mohammed Shami

Standbys: Aasirwad Swain, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Swastik Samal, Sudip Kumar Gharami, Rahul Singh