Duleep Trophy 2025: Dhruv Jurel to lead; Kuldeep, Khaleel headline Central Zone squad

India wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel has been named captain of the Central Zone squad for the upcoming Duleep Trophy 2025, set to begin on August 28 at the BCCI's newly inaugurated Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

After a format change in 2024, the Duleep Trophy is going back to its traditional zonal setup this year. Unlike last season, where four mixed teams (A, B, C, D) were formed, the 2025 edition will see zonal selection committees handpick players from their respective regions. Jurel, who recently made headlines for replacing Rishabh Pant during India’s Test series in England, will lead the Central Zone. Meanwhile, Rajat Patidar, who is coming off a stellar domestic season and IPL title-winning campaign, has been named vice-captain, pending fitness clearance.

The squad headlines names like Kuldeep Yadav, who returns to domestic action after warming the bench during India’s England tour. Kuldeep will spearhead the spin department along with Harsh Dubey, who shattered records in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy with 69 wickets, and Manav Suthar.

In the pace department, Khaleel Ahmed, who returned early from his Essex County stint for personal reasons, will partner with Deepak Chahar, who has returned to fitness after a brief IPL layoff. Furthermore, among the batters, Yash Rathod, top scorer of the previous Ranji season with 960 runs, and Danesh Malewar, who had a brilliant run in the Ranji final with scores of 153 and 73, have also been added to the line-up. UP skipper Aryan Juyal, MP offspinner Saransh Jain, and Chhattisgarh’s Sanchit Desai also make it to the cut.

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Central Zone squad for Duleep Trophy 2025

Standbys: Madhav Kaushik Yash Thakur Yuvraj Chaudhary Mahipal Lomror Kuldeep Sen Upendra Yadav

Duleep Trophy 2025 Schedule