The trio are part of India’s squad for the three-match T20Is against Afghanistan which begins three days after the scheduled end of the Duleep final on September 10. The inclusion of Padikkal and Siraj is part of the team management’s plan to maintain the rhythm of the Test players.
“I would love to play the final,” Tilak said on Thursday after his unbeaten knocks of 116 and 51 led Southern Province to victory over Northern Province in the semi-final. “This match has just finished, but I think the Afghanistan match will be played on the 13th. I am ready to play the final. Then we have two days off in between, and if I report on the 11th, I can also train for a day and from there I can go and play the match.”
Padikkal is coming off a man-of-the-series performance in the last Test tour in Sri Lanka, where he scored 328 runs in three innings including two centuries at number three. It was the first time he played in back-to-back Tests since making his debut in 2024. The opportunity only arose because incumbent No. 3 B Sai Sudharsan was ruled out of the series with a toe injury.
Sudharsan will not feature in Duleep’s final but is understood to be nearing full fitness. He is likely to be in the plans for India A’s series against Australia starting September 22 in Puducherry.
Siraj’s presence will boost the pace of the South Zone after the defeat to Vidwath Kavirappa, who was the best player in the semi-final. Like Padikkal, Siraj featured in both Tests in Sri Lanka, where he took four wickets.
Siraj’s Hyderabad teammate CV Milind has also been included in the squad as cover.
