Rajat Patidar has been tasked with leading the Central Zone as they prepare to defend their Duleep Trophy title. The squad for the upcoming season-opening tournament includes three other India internationals: Rinku Singh, who will serve as vice-captain, left-arm-spin-bowling allrounder Harsh Dubey, and fast bowler Yash Thakur.
The spin department will be anchored by Saransh Jain, a member of India's Test squad for the Sri Lanka tour, alongside Dubey and Uttar Pradesh legspinner Zeeshan Ansari. Ansari recently made his return to red-ball cricket during the India A tour of Sri Lanka. The batting lineup features Vidarbha opener Aman Mokhade, who earned an India A call-up following a breakout 2025-26 Ranji season where he accumulated 760 runs in 11 innings at an average of 76. Chhattisgarh opener Ayush Pandey, another player who debuted for India A in Sri Lanka, has also been selected.
Yash Rathod, who has demonstrated strong form over the past two seasons for Vidarbha, is set to play a pivotal role in the middle order alongside Patidar. The fast-bowling attack includes Thakur, Vidarbha's Nachiket Bhute, and Madhya Pradesh's left-arm swing specialist Arshad Khan. Behind the stumps, Uttar Pradesh’s Aryan Juyal is designated as the primary wicketkeeper, with Kunal Singh Rathore serving as the backup.
As the defending champions, Central Zone has received a bye through the first round. They are scheduled to enter the tournament at the semi-final stage on August 30, where they will face the winner of the clash between East Zone and North East Zone. The Duleep Trophy is slated to begin on August 23 at the CoE grounds in Bengaluru, with the final match scheduled for September 6.
The full Central Zone squad includes: Rajat Patidar (capt), Rinku Singh (vice-captain), Aryan Juyal (wk), Kunal Singh Rathore (wk), Saransh Jain, Aman Mokhade, Kunal Chandela, Zeeshan Ansari, Aryan Pandey, Arshad Khan, Ayush Pandey, Yash Rathod, Harsh Dubey, Yash Thakur, and Nachiket Bhute.
