The Indian team management has decided to keep its reserve players in Colombo instead of releasing them for the Duleep Trophy, according to a report, as the team prepares for the second and final Test against Sri Lanka.
India entered the second Test on Sunday with confidence after registering a comprehensive 165-run victory in the opening match of the series in Galle. The team, led by Shubman Gill, is now looking to complete a 2-0 series sweep in Colombo.
The decision to retain reserve players Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi has reportedly been taken to ensure that India has enough options available if a concussion substitute is required during the Test.
Both Brar and Nabi were part of the Indian squad for the first Test but did not feature in the playing XI. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna were preferred as the main pace options, and the same combination is expected to continue for the second Test.
According to a report by Revsportz, the reserve players will remain with the Indian squad in Colombo and will not join the North Zone team for the Duleep Trophy. The domestic tournament also begins on Sunday, creating a direct scheduling clash with the Test match.
The decision highlights the importance the team management is placing on maintaining sufficient cover during the Test. Although the reserve players may not be expected to play under normal circumstances, their presence provides the team with additional options in case of an unforeseen injury or concussion.
Meanwhile, the Duleep Trophy has begun with considerable attention on several young players, including 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. He is set to represent East Zone against North East Zone in the quarter-final at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Sooryavanshi has attracted significant attention because of his performances in T20 cricket, although his First-Class record remains modest. He has played eight First-Class matches for Bihar, featuring in 12 innings, with a highest score of 93 and a batting average in the high teens.
The Duleep Trophy was once regarded as an important pathway for players hoping to earn India selection. However, its relevance has changed in recent years after the BCCI moved away from the zonal format before returning to it from the 2025-26 season.
For India, however, the immediate priority remains the Test series against Sri Lanka. With a 1-0 lead already secured, the team will aim to finish the series strongly while ensuring that its reserve options remain available in Colombo.
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