Five players from Kerala made the South Zone squad for the 2025 Duleep Trophy. That news dropped on July 29. No big slogans, no headlines — just a list. But for those following cricket in Kerala, it meant something. It’s not just about this year. It’s about the effort that’s been going on quietly for a while — training in the off-season, forgotten domestic matches, long bus rides to small grounds. This moment didn’t come out of nowhere.
And this time, it’s not just about numbers—it’s about leadership too. Mohammed Azharuddeen, one of Kerala’s most exciting talents in recent years, has been named Vice-Captain of the South Zone side. That says something. It’s not just a nod to individual form; it’s a statement that Kerala players are ready to lead, not just follow.
So, who made it?
Let’s get straight to it. These are the five Kerala cricketers chosen:
- Mohammed Azharuddeen (Vice-Captain)
- Salman Nizar
- Basil NP
- MD Nidheesh
- Eden Apple Tom (Reserve)
Each name carries its own story. These players didn’t arrive overnight. They’ve done the hard yards—on dusty club pitches, in long domestic seasons, under pressure. They’ve performed when it counted, and now they get to represent something bigger than themselves.
Azharuddeen: From flair to responsibility
When Azharuddeen first caught the public’s eye, it was his stroke play that stood out. That unforgettable 137* in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy a few seasons back? Since then, he’s worked on refining his game. Becoming vice-captain of a zonal side suggests he’s also grown as a player off the field.
He’ll likely bat in the top order, anchor key phases of the game, and guide younger players around him. This will be a test—not just of talent, but of temperament.
The others aren’t just passengers
Salman Nizar has been Kerala’s Mr. Dependable in the middle order for a while now. He might not always grab headlines, but coaches and captains trust him to build partnerships, absorb pressure, and bat time. In four-day cricket, that’s gold.
Basil NP, the tall right-arm quick, brings bounce and aggression. He delivers a sharp outswinger and targets top-order batters right from the start. If the pitch offers anything, he’ll extract it.
Many overlook MD Nidheesh, but he brings real value to the side. A steady medium-pacer who can also hit a few big shots down the order. Not flashy, but highly effective—especially when games enter that grind phase around Day 3.
Eden Apple Tom, though named as a reserve, is worth keeping an eye on. The selectors clearly see potential, and sometimes these tours are where confidence starts to build.
What this means for Kerala cricket
Now here’s the bigger picture. For a long time, Kerala wasn’t even in the domestic cricket conversation. The talent was there, no doubt, but systems were fragile, scouting was patchy, and consistency was missing.
But that’s changed.
A lot has changed in Kerala cricket over the last few years, though not everyone outside the state has noticed. Coaching got better at the grassroots. Facilities started improving. Slowly, things became more professional. You could see it in how players trained, how teams prepared, and how seriously the system started treating the game. Add to that a few trailblazers—players like Sanju Samson who’ve cracked the IPL and national circuit—and suddenly, the ceiling looks much higher.
So, when five players from the same state crack a zonal squad like South Zone, it’s not an accident. It’s the result of proper groundwork.
Duleep Trophy: Why it still matters
You hear it every now and then—”Does the Duleep Trophy still hold weight?” The answer is simple. Yes.
This tournament remains a big part of the Indian domestic ladder. It gives selectors a chance to see players compete outside their state setups. The quality is high. The pressure is different. You’re playing with and against guys you usually face off in the Ranji Trophy. There’s no comfort zone.
Perform well here, and suddenly the door to India A, or even IPL trials, starts to creak open.
Real pressure, real opportunity
Make no mistake—these Kerala players aren’t going in as tourists. They’ll watch Azharuddeen closely—not just for his runs, but for how he handles pressure when things go wrong.. Can he lift his team when they’re 40/3? Can shepherd the tail? Can rotate bowlers wisely if he gets a captaincy handover?
Basil and Nidheesh need to bowl long spells without letting the game drift. Salman might walk in at 10/2 and be asked to rebuild. These are the moments where reputations are made—or broken.
And back home?
This selection has made waves in Kerala’s local cricketing circles. Clubs, academies, even local groundsmen are talking. It’s not every day that a state like Kerala gets this level of representation at a zonal level. And when it happens, it gives everyone in the system a jolt of belief.
Parents start trusting the game a little more. Young kids suddenly see a path. Coaches feel validated. And the association, which often works in the background, gets a moment in the spotlight.
What happens next?
That’s the question. If these five players deliver—and there’s every reason to believe they will—it opens the floodgates. Kerala could very well become a regular talent supplier to zonal and national sides.
More importantly, this sets a benchmark. Future squads will be compared to this one. Youngsters will chase the goal of “making the next South Zone team.”
And that’s exactly how a sporting culture grows.
Stay tuned with the real stuff
If you’re following the Duleep Trophy and want more than just scores, keep an eye on performance trends, player roles, and match impact. That’s where platforms like CricketBettingTips.org come in handy.
They’re not about guessing. They’re about informed takes, expert views, and real-time domestic cricket insights. If you’re someone who enjoys tracking players before they become household names—or wants sharp, data-driven cricket betting tips—it’s worth bookmarking.
And for those hungry for more updates on the Duleep Trophy, you’ll get all the real stories there
