India, Aug. 1 -- Veteran India pacer Mohammed Shami returned to first-class cricket after nearly nine months, earning a spot in East Zone's squad for the 2025-26 Duleep Trophy. However, 14-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi, fresh off a record-breaking tour with India Under-19s, did not find a place in the main squad.

The East Zone selectors unveiled a 15-member squad on Thursday, with Ishan Kishan named captain. Kishan has recently shown strong form for Nottinghamshire in the County Championship Division One, where he struck two half-centuries in as many innings. Bengal opener Abhimanyu Easwaran, who has been part of India's Test setup in England, will serve as vice-captain.

Shami, 34, last played red-ball cricket for Bengal ...