Rajat Patidar to Captain Central Zone in 2026 Duleep Trophy

Rajat Patidar has been appointed the captain of the Central Zone team for the upcoming 2026 Duleep Trophy season. The selection committee also named explosive batter Rinku Singh as the vice-captain for the squad. This appointment places Patidar at the helm of a competitive unit as he looks to reassert his credentials for the national red-ball team. The Duleep Trophy remains one of the premier domestic tournaments in India, often serving as a gateway for players into the Test squad.

The squad features several prominent names including recent India debutants Harsh Dubey and Yash Thakur. Both players earned their call-ups following consistent performances in domestic circuits and limited international exposures. Additionally, Saransh Jain has been included in the Central Zone side, notably having also been picked for the India squad for the Sri Lanka Tests. The presence of these high-calibre players makes Central Zone one of the strongest contenders in this edition of the tournament.

The 2026 Duleep Trophy is expected to be a critical audition for many players ahead of India's heavy home Test season. For Rajat Patidar, the captaincy offers an opportunity to showcase his leadership skills alongside his batting prowess. The inclusion of Saransh Jain highlights the selectors' focus on grooming multi-format specialists. Domestic scouts will be monitoring the performance of the Central Zone bowlers, particularly Thakur and Dubey, as the national team looks for fresh options in the pace department. The tournament is set to begin in the coming weeks across multiple venues.