KL Rahul To Miss Duleep Trophy Final, Tilak Varma Confirms

KL Rahul To Miss Duleep Trophy Final (Source: AFP)Ahead of the Duleep Trophy 2026 final, the confusion over KL Rahul’s availability has finally ended. The India batter was expected to feature for South Zone in the summit clash, with several reports suggesting that he would join Mohammed Siraj and Devdutt Padikkal in the squad.The final is scheduled to be played from September 6 to 10 at the iconic M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. South Zone will take on East Zone in the important five-day contest.Mohammed Siraj and Devdutt Padikkal have been included in the South Zone squad, and the team management was reportedly set to make changes to the playing XI to accommodate the two Indian players.No KL Rahul For Duleep Trophy Final 2026KL Rahul, however, will not be part of the Duleep Trophy final. South Zone captain Tilak Varma confirmed the development while speaking to the media during the pre-match press conference ahead of the match.“KL bhai (Rahul) isn’t there,” Tilak said in the pre-match press conference ahead of South Zone's Duleep Trophy 2026 final against East Zone. “Him (Devdutt Padikkal) coming into the side will really strengthen our batting line-up. 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 Varma said.“It will be a big boost for us with the kind of form they (Padikkal and Siraj) 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,” Tilak Varma added.It is vital to note that Padikkal has shown remarkable form recently. In the India tour of Sri Lanka 2026, the RCB star has made 328 runs in 3 innings at an average of 109.33 and a strike rate of 65.86. On the other hand, Siraj, the ace pacer, has taken 5 wickets in 5 innings at an economy rate of 2.46.Also Read: Why BCCI Has Kept Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devdutt Padikkal Away From India's ODI SquadThe update from Tilak Varma has put an end to the uncertainty surrounding KL Rahul’s participation. This comes despite earlier reports indicating that the experienced batter could play for South Zone.KL Rahul played a Duleep Trophy match for the last time when he represented India-A against Abhimanyu Easwaran-led India-B. He scored 94 runs in that match with the help of a valiant half-century in the second innings, which unfortunately came in a losing cause.Who Will Open For South Zone In KL Rahul's Absence?It is important to note that, for the South Zone, in KL Rahul's absence, Ricky Bhui is expected to open the innings alongside Narayan Jagadeesan. There is a high chance that the Padikkal will play at no. 3.“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 Varma also added.With Ricky Bhui's batting position being almost confirmed in the ongoing Duleep Trophy, the right-handed batter made 47 runs in two innings at a strike rate of 51.09 and an average of 23.50.South Zone's Probable Playing XI In KL Rahul's AbsenceRicky Bhui, N Jagadeesan (WK), Devdutt Padikkal, Tilak Varma (C), Shaik Rasheed, Smaran Ravichandran, Shreyas Gopal, Tanay Thyagarajan, K Saiteja, M Nidheesh, Mohammed SirajAlso Read: Indian Team Scared Of Afghanistan? Former Captain Drops A Bombshell