RCB Rajat Patidar adds another title to the cabinet as a central area Cinch Cup

Central Zone have emerged as the winners of Duleep Trophy 2025 after clinching a convincing 6-wicket win over South Zone in the final. It took less than two hours for Rajat Patidar and co. to wrap up the proceedings on Day 5 of the contest at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. Central Zone dominated the game right from Day 1 when they managed to bundle out South Zone for just 149 runs in their 1st innings.

Patidar’s Central Zone lift Duleep Trophy

Needing 65 runs to win on the final day, Central Zone lost four quick wickets as they attempted to chase down the target in a hurry. Danish Malewar (5), Shubham Sharma (8), Saransh Jain (4) and Patidar (13) were the batters to be dismissed on Day 5, with Gurjapneet Singh and Ankit Sharma striking twice each for the South Zone. However, Akshay Wadkar (19*) and Yash Rathod (13*) ensured that no more damage was done as they led the team across the line.

Central Zone’s dominance started with the ball when Karthikeya Singh bagged four wickets while Saransh Jain bagged his third consecutive five-wicket haul to bundle out South Zone for just 149 runs in the 1st innings. In response, Central posted a mammoth 511-run total in their 1st innings, with Rathod scoring 194 and captain Patidar’s 101-run-knock.

South Zone attempted a brave fightback in the 2nd innings, with all batters contributing effectively with the bat. Ankit Sharma (99) and Andre Siddharth (84) gave it their all and even managed to get South Zone to take the lead. However, that was on Day 4 of the contest and was unfortunately not enough to stop Central Zone.

By winning the Duleep Trophy, Patidar’s dream run as captain continues. Just a couple of months earlier, he led RCB to their maiden IPL title, ending their 18-year trophy drought.