Duleep Trophy 2025: Dhruv Jurel will be the captain, Kuldeep and Khalil included in the Central Zone team

Dhruv Jurel has been appointed as the captain of the Central Zone team for the Duleep Trophy 2025, which will take place at the BCCI’s newly inaugurated Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru starting from August 28. This edition marks a return to the traditional zonal format after last year’s experiment with mixed teams. In 2024, the Duleep Trophy featured four mixed teams labeled A, B, C, and D, but this year, the zonal selection committees will pick players strictly from their respective regions, reinstating the classic structure of the competition.

Jurel, who gained recognition for stepping in to replace Rishabh Pant during India’s Test series in England, will lead the Central Zone side. His leadership skills and on-field performances have earned him this significant responsibility. Supporting him as vice-captain is Rajat Patidar, a player who impressed everyone with his outstanding domestic performances and also contributed to his team’s IPL success. Patidar’s participation depends on his fitness clearance, but his presence adds strength to the leadership core.

The squad boasts some notable names across various departments, highlighting a blend of experience and emerging talent. One of the key figures is Kuldeep Yadav, the seasoned left-arm wrist-spinner who is making a comeback in domestic cricket after being on the sidelines during India’s England tour. Kuldeep will spearhead the spin attack alongside promising spinners Harsh Dubey and Manav Suthar. Dubey had an exceptional 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season, taking an astonishing 69 wickets and setting new records, which has earned him a spot in the team. Manav Suthar, another spinner, adds depth to the bowling unit.

The pace bowling department is equally strong, with Khaleel Ahmed and Deepak Chahar leading the charge. Khaleel recently returned early from his stint with Essex County due to personal reasons but is ready to make an impact at the domestic level. Deepak Chahar, who recently recovered from an injury and took a break from IPL action, is back to full fitness and brings valuable experience and skill to the pace lineup.

The batting lineup includes some exciting talent as well. Yash Rathod is a key batsman, having topped the charts with 960 runs in the last Ranji season, demonstrating excellent form and consistency. Danesh Malewar also made headlines with his impressive performances in the Ranji final, scoring crucial innings of 153 and 73 runs to help his team. Other batsmen who have earned their places include Uttar Pradesh’s captain Aryan Juyal, Madhya Pradesh off-spinner Saransh Jain, and Chhattisgarh’s Sanchit Desai.

The Central Zone squad reflects a strong combination of youth and experience, ready to compete fiercely in the Duleep Trophy. The team composition is as follows:

Dhruv Jurel (Captain, Wicketkeeper)

Rajat Patidar (Vice Captain – Subject to fitness clearance)

Aryan Juyal

Danesh Malewar

Sanchit Desai

Kuldeep Yadav

Aditya Thackeray

Deepak Chahar

Saransh Jain

Ayush Pandey

Y Shubham Sharma

Yash Rathore

Harsh Dubey

Manav Suthar

Khaleel Ahmed

In addition to the main squad, a list of standby players has been named to ensure depth and cover for any unforeseen circumstances. These standby players are Madhav Kaushik, Yash Thakur, Yuvraj Choudhary, Mahipal Lomror, Kuldeep Sen, and Upendra Yadav.

The return of the zonal format is expected to reignite regional pride and competitiveness, and with a balanced and well-prepared team, Central Zone under Dhruv Jurel’s leadership looks poised to make a significant impact in the tournament. Fans and cricket enthusiasts will be eagerly watching as these talented players showcase their skills and compete for the prestigious Duleep Trophy title.