Duleep Trophy 2025 SZ vs CZ Final: Rajat Patidar Leads Central Zone to Title Triumph Over South in Bengaluru

Central Zone's six-wicket victory over South Zone at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru marked the end of the Duleep Trophy 2025. After a lengthy wait for a trophy, captain Rajat Patidar led his team to their first Duleep Trophy victory in nearly 11 years with the help of Yash Rathod and Saransh Jain. The last time Central Zone won the Duleep Trophy was against South Zone during the 2014–15 campaign.

Central lost four wickets but reached the mark in the morning session, needing 65 runs to capture the title. This was Central's first Duleep Trophy victory since the team captained by Piyush Chawla won the trophy in 2014–15. For the duration of the game, Central maintained its lead after posting an incredible 511 in the opening essay. South will be disappointed by its poor batting effort on the opening day, as it was bowled out for 149 on a field that was conducive to batting.

Duleep Trophy 2025 SZ vs CZ Final Highlights:

Captain Rajat Patidar in 2025. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/DPlQxHkL89

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 15, 2025

In the second inning, South Zone recovered. All-rounder Ankit Sharma, who missed a century by just one run, and Andre Siddarth, who smashed an undefeated eighty-four, were key players, but so were captain Mohammed Azharuddeen, Ravichandran Smaran, and Ricky Bhui. South reached 426 thanks to their 192-run stand. But only 65 was the goal for Central.

Ankit Sharma and pacer Gurjapneet Singh took advantage of the early conditions to take three early wickets on the outset of the fifth day, despite the target. After a while, Patidar lost his balance while attempting to steady the chase. The Central camp was ecstatic as Akshay Wadkar and Rathod completed the victory in 21 overs. Saransh Jain won Player of the Series for his all-around genius of 69 runs and match numbers of 8 for 179. Player of the Match went to Rathod.

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