Credit: ICC
Team India spinner Kuldeep Yadav will be seen in the Central Zone squad for the upcoming Duleep Trophy 2025, to be played from August 28 to September 15, 2025. Kuldeep toured with Team India to England for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, but didn’t get a chance in the playing XI in any of the five Tests. The spin Wizard’s omission from the final Test at The Oval didn’t go well with former India players such as Sourav Ganguly and Mohammad Kaif, who felt that the spin wizard should’ve been inducted in the 11-member squad in the last game.
However, ignoring these facts, Kuldeep Yadav will now strive to deliver effective numbers to Central Zone in the upcoming domestic competition. The 30-year-old’s responsibility will be to spearhead Central Zone’s spin attack confidently. Central Zone will be led by Dhruv Jurel, who replaced star wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant in India XI against England at The Oval. Another notable name Rajat Patidar is also a part of Central Zone and his role will be to reinforce the side’s middle-order.
Deepak Chahar and Khaleel Ahmed to fortify the fast bowling unit
Deepak Chahar and Khaleel Ahmed will solidify Central Zone’s fast bowling attack. Khaleel, who was an essential member of Essex for County Championship Division One, left his team’s camp in July, due to personal reasons. Chahar, who picked up an injury while serving Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, was spotted bowling at Team India’s nets at The Oval.
Vidarabha’s Yash Rathod, who emerged as the most successful batter in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25, will be expected to take his form ahead to help Central Zone have an impactful campaign in the upcoming series. In the last Ranji season, Rathod notched up 960 runs with five hundreds and three fifties in 18 innings of 10 matches.
