Dopo il giorno 2 nella finale del Duleep Trophy, la zona centrale ha un vantaggio di 235 corse con 5 mani.
Rajat Patidar’s 2025 has been nothing short of remarkable. He fulfilled Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) long-standing dream by lifting their maiden IPL title, guided Madhya Pradesh to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final, and is now in command of Central Zone’s charge towards the Duleep Trophy.
What stands out is how his batting has not been bogged down by the captaincy burden. If anything, the responsibility has sharpened him. In Bengaluru, he once again led from the front, scoring a fluent century to put his team in the driver’s seat in the final against South Zone.
This final has further come as a timely reminder that Patidar wants a Test comeback. His runs in tournament finals, including 81* in SMAT, a crucial 26 in the IPL summit clash, and now 101 in the Duleep Trophy tell the story of a man who relishes big stages.
Centuries from Patidar and Rathod put Central Zone on top
Resuming from 50 without loss, Central Zone had a tricky first session. Opener Akshay Wadkar fell early to Vasuki Koushik’s inswinger, while Danish Malewar’s fighting half-century ended when he edged Gurjapneet Singh to slip. At 93 for 3, the match was delicately poised until skipper Patidar joined hands with Yash Rathod.
The pair seized control with a commanding 167-run stand. Patidar batted with authority, driving fluently and punishing the spinners with sweeps and lofted shots. A life on 44 proved costly for South Zone as he converted it into a century, his 15th in first-class cricket. He fell soon after reaching 101 off 115 balls, but by then, Central had a stranglehold.
Rathod carried on relentlessly, completing his own century in the final session. He finished the day unbeaten on 137, while Saransh Jain, the hero with the ball on Day 1, provided fine support with an assured 47*. Their unbroken century stand took Central to 384 for 5 at stumps with a towering lead of 235.
South Zone, who were bowled out for just 149 on the opening day, looked listless with the ball despite Gurjapneet’s three wickets. The second new ball brought no relief either, as Rathod and Jain held firm. At the close of Day 2, Central Zone have one hand on the trophy. With Patidar’s hundred setting the tone and Rathod still batting with composure, the decade-long wait for Duleep Trophy glory looks set to end.
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