Rajat Patidar Appointed Central Zone Captain for Upcoming Duleep Trophy Campaign
Royal Challengers Bengaluru leader Rajat Patidar will captain the Central Zone squad, with Rinku Singh serving as vice-captain. The tournament begins August 23 at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Key takeaways
- Rajat Patidar will captain the Central Zone Duleep Trophy squad starting August 23 in Bengaluru.
- Rinku Singh has been named vice-captain for the tournament running through September 10.
- Off-spinner Saransh Jain is likely to miss the domestic start due to his inclusion in the India Test squad for the Sri Lanka tour.
- The 15-man squad includes wicketkeepers Aryan Juyal and Kunal Singh Rathod plus six designated stand-by players.
Leadership Duo and Tournament Logistics
Rajat Patidar, the two-time IPL championship captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, has been selected to lead Central Zone in the upcoming Duleep Trophy. Supporting him in the leadership group is middle-order batter Rinku Singh, who takes on the role of vice-captain. The competition is scheduled to take place at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, spanning from August 23 to September 10.
Selection Dilemmas and Roster Depth
While off-spinner Saransh Jain appears in the official roster, his availability for the tournament's start remains unlikely. Jain has been drafted into the India Test squad for the Sri Lanka tour following the injury of Washington Sundar. With the first Test in Galle starting August 15 and the second in Colombo beginning August 23, Jain is expected to miss the domestic season opener while potentially making his international Test debut.
Full Squad and Reserve Players
The selection committee has finalized a 15-man primary roster alongside six stand-by options to maintain depth throughout the three-week event. The confirmed squad includes:
- Leadership: Rajat Patidar (C), Rinku Singh (VC)
- Wicketkeepers: Aryan Juyal, Kunal Singh Rathod
- Bowling Unit: Saransh Jain, Zeeshan Ansari, Aryan Pandey, Arshad Khan, Yash Thakur, Nachiket Bhute
- Batting Unit: Aman Mokhade, Kunal Chandela, Ayush Pandey, Yash Rathod, Harsh Dubey
The stand-by list features Amandeep Khare, Mayank Mishra, Saurabh Rawat, Bhargav Merai, Kunal Yadav, and Kumar Kartikeya, ensuring replacements are ready for any international call-ups or injuries.
Source: The Hindu — Sport
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