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Netizens Hail Rajat Patidar As Central Zone Clinch Historic Duleep Trophy 2025 Title
By CricShots - Sep 15, 2025 12:50 pm
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Central Zone ended a decade-long wait by lifting the Duleep Trophy 2025 after defeating South Zone by six wickets in the final at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru. Although the chase was a modest 65 runs, the final had no shortage of standout performances from both sides. What ultimately separated the two teams was Central Zone’s dominance in the first innings, which laid the foundation for their memorable triumph.

Central Zone
Central Zone won the Duleep Trophy 2025 under the leadership of Rajat Patidar.

Leading from the front, skipper Rajat Patidar played a defining role in the victory. His tactical decision to bowl first on a seaming wicket proved decisive, as South Zone collapsed for just 149 in their first innings. Patidar then produced a captain’s knock, smashing 101 off 115 balls. His fluent century, laced with a crucial 167-run stand alongside Yash Rathod, underlined his ability to balance composure with aggression.

Beyond his batting heroics, Rajat Patidar also pulled off a diving catch that lifted team morale, embodying the spirit and hunger that powered Central Zone to their first title in over 10 years. If Patidar inspired, Rathod delivered the statement performance of the final.

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The 25-year-old carved out a career-best 194 off 286 balls, his seventh First-Class century, steering Central Zone to a mammoth 511 in their first innings. Rathod’s assured stroke play and calm approach against South Zone’s spinners were a masterclass in red-ball batting. His effort not only highlighted his consistency—already tallying 1,879 runs in 21 matches at an average over 50—but also put his team in command with a massive 362-run first-innings lead.

South Zone, however, refused to go down without a fight. After their initial collapse, they mounted a strong second-innings comeback, posting 426 runs. The highlight was a resilient 192-run partnership for the seventh wicket between Ankit Sharma and C Andre Siddarth.

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Ankit Sharma fell agonizingly short of his second First-Class ton, dismissed for 99 off 168 balls, while Siddarth remained unbeaten with a gritty 84. Youngster Smaran Ravichandran also impressed with a composed 67, ensuring South Zone delayed the inevitable.

Despite their spirited fightback, the first-innings deficit was too steep for South Zone to overturn. Central Zone’s balance of leadership, discipline, and individual brilliance proved too strong, sealing a historic victory. For Patidar and Rathod, this was not just about winning a trophy—it was about reviving pride and writing a new chapter in Central Zone’s red-ball legacy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tags Ankit SharmaC Andre SiddarthCentral ZoneDuleep Trophy 2025finalnetizensRajat PatidarYash Rathod