Rajat Patidar Named Central Zone Captain for Duleep Trophy 2026; Rinku Singh Appointed Vice-Captain
Defending champions Central Zone have named Rajat Patidar as captain for the 2026 Duleep Trophy, with India batter Rinku Singh appointed as vice-captain for the prestigious inter-zonal red-ball tournament.
The squad also features recent India debutants Harsh Dubey and Yash Thakur, while Saransh Jain, who earned a place in India’s Test squad for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour, strengthens the spin department.
Star-Studded Squad for Defending Champions
Central Zone have assembled a balanced squad packed with domestic performers and international experience.
Patidar will lead a batting unit that includes Rinku Singh, Yash Rathod, Aman Mokhade, and Ayush Pandey, while wicketkeeping duties will primarily be handled by Aryan Juyal.
The bowling attack features an exciting blend of pace and spin, with Yash Thakur, Nachiket Bhute, and Arshad Khan leading the seam department.
Saransh Jain and Harsh Dubey Head Spin Attack
The spin unit will be led by Saransh Jain, alongside left-arm all-rounder Harsh Dubey and Uttar Pradesh leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari.
Ansari recently returned to red-ball cricket after five years during India A’s tour of Sri Lanka, while Jain’s consistent domestic performances earned him a maiden call-up to India’s Test squad for the Sri Lanka series.
Aman Mokhade Rewarded for Outstanding Season
Vidarbha opener Aman Mokhade has been rewarded for a sensational 2025-26 Ranji Trophy campaign.
The right-hander amassed 760 runs in 11 innings at an outstanding average of 76, performances that also earned him an India A debut in Sri Lanka.
Another promising opener, Ayush Pandey of Chhattisgarh, has also retained his place after impressing during the India A tour.
Direct Entry Into Semi-Finals
As defending champions, Central Zone have received a bye into the semi-finals.
They will face the winner of the East Zone vs North East Zone clash on August 30, while the tournament begins on August 23 at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
The Duleep Trophy 2026 final is scheduled to begin on September 6.
Central Zone Squad for Duleep Trophy 2026
- Rajat Patidar (Captain)
- Rinku Singh (Vice-captain)
- Aryan Juyal (WK)
- Kunal Singh Rathod (WK)
- Saransh Jain
- Harsh Dubey
- Yash Thakur
- Aman Mokhade
- Ayush Pandey
- Yash Rathod
- Kunal Chandela
- Zeeshan Ansari
- Aryan Pandey
- Arshad Khan
- Nachiket Bhute
- Subhadeep Ghosh Appointed India Fielding Coach Ahead of Sri Lanka Test Series
- Rajat Patidar to Lead Central Zone in Duleep Trophy 2026; Rinku Singh Named Vice-Captain
- KKR Captaincy Race Begins After Ajinkya Rahane Retirement; Rinku Singh Emerges as Front-Runner
- ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2027 Venues Announced: South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia Ready to Host Cricket’s Biggest Event
- Bangladesh Appoint Litton Das as ODI Captain; Mehidy Hasan Miraz Relieved of Leadership Role