Central Zone names Rajat Patidar captain with Rinku Singh as deputy for Duleep Trophy

Rajat Patidar will captain the Central Zone squad for the upcoming Duleep Trophy, with Rinku Singh named as his deputy for the prestigious domestic competition. Saransh Jain is expected to miss early matches while with the national Test team.

Central Zone confirmed the leadership setup ahead of the Duleep Trophy, the traditional first event of the domestic red-ball calendar. The squad announced for the tournament blends well-known names and younger performers who have impressed in recent domestic seasons. Team officials framed the appointments in the context of preparing for the season-opening competition.

The decision places Rajat Patidar at the helm of Central Zone’s unit, entrusting him with captaincy responsibilities for the tournament. Rinku Singh has been named as his deputy for the prestigious domestic competition, providing the side with an experienced lieutenant. Management have presented the pairing as the leadership core for the campaign.

Saransh Jain is expected to miss early matches while with the national Test team, a development that affects the availability of one of Central Zone’s notable players. His absence is timed with national commitments and will rule him out of the opening fixtures of the Duleep Trophy. The squad will therefore begin its campaign without him on the field.

The Central Zone squad features experienced batters and promising young domestic talents, offering a balance between proven performers and emerging players. That blend is intended to give the team depth across batting positions while allowing younger cricketers an opportunity at a higher level. The roster reflects selections drawn from recent domestic form and availability for the red-ball season.

The Duleep Trophy remains a prestigious domestic competition and serves as a key fixture at the start of India’s longer-format season. This tournament marks the beginning of India's domestic red-ball cricket season. With leadership now in place and the squad named, Central Zone will prepare to contest the early matches of the event.

Rajat Patidar’s captaincy, supported by Rinku Singh as deputy, will guide Central Zone into the Duleep Trophy while Saransh Jain’s early absence is handled through squad planning. The tournament’s role as the opening event of the domestic red-ball calendar sets the stage for the squad’s immediate objectives.