K.L. Rahul will not feature for South Zone in the Duleep Trophy 2026 final against East Zone.

Reports had initially suggested that Rahul would be added to South Zone’s squad for the final. However, captain Tilak Varma confirmed ahead of the match that the India batter would not be part of the team.

South Zone will, however, be able to call on returning India players Devdutt Padikkal and Mohammed Siraj. Padikkal heads into the final in fine form, having scored 328 runs at an average of 109.33 and won the Player of the Series award on India’s recently concluded tour of Sri Lanka.

“Him coming into the side will really strengthen our batting line-up,” Tilak said of Padikkal. “The kind of form we have seen from him in the last two or three games has been really great, so having him will be a big boost for us.”

Tilak also highlighted the experience both Padikkal and Siraj would bring to a relatively young South Zone side.

“It will be a big boost for us with the kind of form they are in. It will be really helpful. They can share their experience with the players since we have quite a few young players in the side,” he said.

Tilak confirmed that Padikkal would bat at No. 3, while Ricky Bhui, who opened in the semifinal, will continue at the top of the order alongside N. Jagadeesan.

“Ricky Bhui has played as an opener before, but he’s been playing in the middle-order for some time now. He’s a senior player and he can adjust to the role, that’s why we thought he could open with Jaggi,” Tilak explained.