North east zone

The North Zone: India Test captain Shubman Gill missed the 2025–26 season-opening Duleep Trophy quarterfinal against East Zone, which began on Thursday at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

Named captain of the North Zone side, Gill was expected to lead in the opener but was forced to sit out due to illness. He is likely to arrive in Bengaluru later this week before departing for the Asia Cup, which starts on September 9 in Abu Dhabi.

In Gill’s absence, Haryana top-order batter Ankit Kumar took over captaincy duties, while Services batter Shubham Rohilla replaced him in the playing XI. The North Zone team also features two other Asia Cup-bound players - Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh - who are set to feature with the ball later in the match.