Significant changes have occurred in the North region team composition ahead of the Duleep Trophy 2026 semi-finals. A decision was made to include Gurnoor Barar, a fast bowler from Punjab.
Barar joined the team before the match between the North and South regions, which will take place at the BCCI's center of excellence in Bangalore on Sunday. Previously, Gurnoor participated in the Indian national team tour for Test matches in Sri Lanka.
Although India won this series 1-0, Gurnoor did not get an opportunity to debut. Selectors plan to give this 23-year-old player as much first-class practice as possible before the upcoming tour of New Zealand in November, which is why he is being brought straight into the Duleep Trophy semi-final.
Gurnoor's current form also strengthens his position in the Indian national team. In July, during the tour of Sri Lanka by the India 'A' team, he took 10 wickets in a single match. He has taken 62 wickets in 19 first-class matches. Furthermore, this year he debuted in international ODI matches and has currently taken 11 wickets in 6 played matches.
On the other hand, star fast bowler Akib Nabi from Jammu and Kashmir is preparing to play county cricket in England instead of participating in the Duleep Trophy. He is currently awaiting an entry permit (visa). Selectors want Akib to train on English pitches that favor swing bowling before the New Zealand series to improve his new ball handling skills.
In the Ranji 2025-26 season, Akib demonstrated his power by taking 60 wickets with an average of only 12.56. If plans to play county cricket are stalled for any reason, he may participate in the India 'A' match against Australia in Puducherry on September 22. After that, he will represent his home team Jammu and Kashmir in the Iranian Cup from October 1 to 5 in Srinagar against Rest of India.