Replacement and Team Impact
Akash Deep was initially named as part of the East Zone squad, expected to spearhead their pace attack alongside established names like Mohammed Shami and Mukesh Kumar. However, a PTI report confirms that Assam’s Mukhtar Hussain, a medium pacer with 132 wickets in 40 first-class matches, has been named as his replacement. This marks a missed opportunity for Akash, fresh off a stellar Test series performance.

Possible Reasons Behind the Pull-Out
While no specific reason has been officially disclosed, early indicators point to fitness concerns. During the Test series against England, Akash had struggled with form and wasn’t fully fit—most notably missing the Manchester Test due to a groin injury. He did return for the final test at The Oval but appeared to be managing discomfort. Notably, during that match, teammate Shubman Gill was overheard asking him via stump mic if he had taken an injection, hinting at the intensity of what he was managing out on the field.

Akash Deep’s Heroics and Subtle Fade
Despite his fitness challenges, Akash Deep delivered a remarkable 10-wicket match haul at Edgbaston—India’s best Test bowling figures in England and a historic win for the team. He also produced a gritty 66-run knock as a nightwatchman at The Oval. Still, his workload and lingering niggles appear to have taken a toll, prompting caution ahead of the domestic season.

East Zone Squad Adjustments
Led by captain Ishan Kishan and vice-captain Abhimanyu Easwaran, East Zone will now rely on a pace unit that includes Mukesh Kumar, Mohammed Shami, and the newly added Mukhtar Hussain. While they retain firepower, losing Akash Deep's dual contributions with both ball and bat undoubtedly diminishes their edge. They are scheduled to face North Zone in the quarter-final starting 28 August.

Summary Table

Aspect	Details
Absence	Akash Deep ruled out due to discomfort from England Test series
Replacement	Assam’s Mukhtar Hussain (132 FC wickets, avg 28.2)
Reason for Exit	Lingering fitness concerns, groin issues, on-field discomfort
Recent Highlights	10-wicket haul at Edgbaston, 66 as nightwatchman at Oval
Zone Impact	East Zone’s pace attack adjusted—Akash Deep’s absence a setback
Tournament Start	Duleep Trophy begins 28 Aug; East Zone vs North Zone in quarters

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REPORTS Akash Deep Ruled Out of Duleep Trophy 2025 Due to Discomfort

Aug 13, 2025 10:47 AM

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