Duleep Trophy 2025: Dhruv Jurel to captain; Kuldeep, Khaleel star in Central Zone squad

In preparation for the forthcoming Duleep Trophy 2025, which will start on August 28 at the BCCI’s recently established Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, India wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel has been selected as captain of the Central Zone team.

This year, the Duleep Trophy will return to its conventional zonal structure following a format change in 2024. The 2025 edition will have zonal selection committees handpicking players from their respective regions, in contrast to the previous season when four mixed teams (A, B, C, and D) were formed. Jurel will be in charge of the Central Zone. He recently made news when he took Rishabh Pant’s place during India’s Test series in England. Awaiting fitness clearance, Rajat Patidar, who just had an incredible domestic season and an IPL title-winning campaign, has been selected vice-captain.

Kuldeep Yadav, who returned to domestic play after warming the bench during India’s England tour, is one of the squad’s standout players. Along with Manav Suthar and Harsh Dubey, who broke records in the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy with 69 wickets, Kuldeep will lead the spin department.

Deepak Chahar, who is back to full fitness following a brief IPL sabbatical, will team with Khaleel Ahmed, who left his Essex County spell early for personal reasons. In addition, the lineup now includes Danesh Malewar, who had a stellar run in the Ranji final with scores of 153 and 73, and Yash Rathod, the highest scorer of the previous Ranji season with 960 runs. Sanchit Desai of Chhattisgarh, MP offspinner Saransh Jain, and UP captain Aryan Juyal are also included.

Central Zone team for the 2025 Duleep Trophy

Aryan Juyal, Danesh Malewar, Sanchit Desai, Kuldeep Yadav, Aditya Thakre, Deepak Chahar, Saransh Jain, Ayush Pandey, Shubham Sharma, Yash Rathod, Harsh Dubey, Manav Suthar, Khaleel Ahmed, Dhruv Jurel (c, wk), Rajat Patidar (vc-subject to fitness clearance), Rajat Patidar (vc.

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

Schedule for the Duleep Trophy in 2025