India's Test team management has reportedly decided against releasing reserve players from the squad for the Duleep Trophy, despite the domestic tournament beginning alongside the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Sunday.

According to a report by Revsportz, the decision has been taken to ensure India have enough options available if a concussion substitute is required during the Test.

India Keep Reserve Players In Colombo

India head into the second Test with a 1-0 lead after beating Sri Lanka by 165 runs in the series opener in Galle.

With the team aiming to complete a series sweep, the management, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill, has reportedly opted to keep its reserve players with the Test squad.

Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi were part of the squad for the first Test but did not feature, with Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna preferred as India's frontline fast bowlers.

With India expected to retain the same pace combination in Colombo, Brar and Nabi could again remain on the sidelines. However, the two players will reportedly stay with the Test squad instead of joining North Zone for the Duleep Trophy.

The move is aimed at ensuring India are not left short of available players in case an unexpected injury or concussion forces a replacement during the Test.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Gets Duleep Trophy Opportunity

The Duleep Trophy gets underway on the same day as the second India-Sri Lanka Test, with several domestic players looking to make an impression.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will be among the players attracting attention when East Zone face North East Zone in the quarter-final at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

The 15-year-old has already made headlines in T20 cricket but has had a modest start to his first-class career.

Sooryavanshi has played eight first-class matches for Bihar, featuring in 12 innings. He has a highest score of 93 and averages in the high teens.

The Duleep Trophy will therefore give him an opportunity to strengthen his red-ball credentials and gain valuable experience in the longer format.

Duleep Trophy Returns To Zonal Format

The Duleep Trophy has traditionally been viewed as an important pathway for players hoping to break into India's Test setup.

However, the tournament's relevance has been questioned in recent seasons, particularly after the return of the traditional zonal format.

The BCCI had previously moved away from the zonal system, introducing teams such as India Red, India Blue and India Green, with squads selected by the national selectors.

The zonal format was restored from the 2025-26 season, bringing back North, South, East, West, Central and North East teams.

While the tournament continues to provide domestic players with competitive red-ball cricket, the absence of several India reserves from the competition highlights the competing priorities between international and domestic cricket.

For India, the immediate focus remains on the second Test in Colombo, where Gill's side will look to build on its dominant performance in Galle and seal the series 2-0.