Yash Dhull’s participation in the Duleep Trophy semi-finals is in serious doubt due to a hamstring injury. The right-handed batsman, who opens for North Zone, suffered a suspected grade two hamstring strain ahead of Sunday’s elimination match against South Zone at the BCCI Center of Excellence Ground, forcing team management to reconsider their starting lineup.
If Dhull is ruled out, specialist opener Sanat Sangwan is anticipated to return to the lineup and partner Qamran Iqbal at the top of the order. Uday Saharan, the former India Under-19 captain, has been picked up as a backup in the North Zone squad.
Why has Yash Dhull injury reignited a controversial selection debate?
The timing of the injury has revived scrutiny on a decision that had previously divided opinion. The North Zone coaching staff of Ajay Sharma and Sarandeep Singh elected to withdraw Sangwan for the quarter-final versus West Zone, giving Yash Dhull an opening berth instead. That call drew a lot of attention because Sangwan finished as the third-highest run-scorer in the previous Ranji Trophy season.
Yash Dhull, who led India to the 2022 Men’s Under-19 World Cup triumph, scored only 381 runs during the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season. Batting at the top against West Zone’s speed attack, he scored 9 and 0 and appeared completely uncomfortable at the crease, adding to criticism of the team management’s tactics.
North Zone won the quarter-final by 52 runs, advancing to the semi-finals with good momentum. Gurnoor Brar, an India pacer, has also joined the squad ahead of Sunday’s encounter, adding to their bowling options.
What other roster adjustments have North Zone made ahead of the semi-finals?
Aside from the Yash Dhull scenario, the same source confirmed more squad movements.
North Zone will face a South Zone team that advanced to the semi-finals as last year’s runners-up. Tilak Varma, India’s T20I vice-captain, leads the southern side, which has Ricky Bhui, Shaik Rasheed, Narayan Jagadeesan, and Karun Nair as its batting core.
Leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal and left-arm spinner Tanay Thyagarajan lead the spin department, while MD Nidheesh and Vidwath Kaverappa spearhead the pace attack.
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