Duleep Trophy 2025 Final: South Zone vs Central Zone – Match Preview (September 11, 2025)

Match Date: September 11, 2025
Time: 05:00 GMT
Venue: BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground, Bengaluru

Match Overview

The Duleep Trophy 2025 reaches its climax as the South Zone and Central Zone face off in the final at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. The match will be played from September 11 to 15, with both teams vying for the coveted trophy in a five-day first-class encounter.

South Zone secured their place in the final by defeating North Zone in the semi-final, while Central Zone edged out West Zone to qualify. The final promises to be a thrilling contest between two well-balanced squads with strong batting and bowling lineups.

Team Form and Semi-Final Performances

South Zone

South Zone showcased their batting prowess in the semi-final, posting a massive total of 536 runs against North Zone. Narayan Jagadeesan was the star performer, scoring a brilliant 197 runs. The likes of Devdutt Padikkal and Ricky Bhui also chipped in with crucial contributions. South Zone ended the semi-final at 95/1 when the match concluded, giving them a strong chance of clinching the title.

Key Players:

• Narayan Jagadeesan – Top Run Scorer (249 runs in the tournament)
• Gurjapneet Singh – Top Wicket Taker (4 wickets)
• Devdutt Padikkal – Strong middle-order support

Squad:
Tilak Varma (captain), Mohammed Azharuddeen (vice-captain), Tanmay Agarwal, Devdutt Padikkal, Mohit Kale, Salman Nizar, Narayan Jagadeesan, Tripurana Vijay, R Sai Kishore, Tanay Thyagarajan, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Nidheesh MD, Ricky Bhui, Basil NP, Gurjapneet Singh, Snehal Kauthanka

Central Zone

Central Zone impressed in their semi-final against West Zone, chasing down a mammoth 600 runs with ease. Shubham Sharma and Rajat Patidar were the standout performers, while Saransh Jain was instrumental with the ball, taking 5 wickets to dismiss the opposition.

Key Players:

• Danish Malewar – Top Run Scorer (294 runs)
• Harsh Dubey – Top Wicket Taker (10 wickets)
• Rajat Patidar – Strong middle-order anchor and key run-scorer

Squad:
Dhruv Jurel (captain/wk), Rajat Patidar, Aryan Juyal, Danish Malewar, Sanjeet Desai, Kuldeep Yadav, Aditya Thakare, Deepak Chahar, Saransh Jain, Ayush Pandey, Shubham Sharma, Yash Rathod, Harsh Dubey, Manav Suthar, Khaleel Ahmed

Match Predictions

• Toss Prediction: South Zone
• Match Winner Prediction: Central Zone
• Top Batter (Runs):
  • Rajat Patidar (Central Zone)
  • Devdutt Padikkal (South Zone)
• Top Bowler (Wickets):
  • Saransh Jain (Central Zone)
  • MD Nidheesh (South Zone)
• Most Sixes:
  • Upendra Yadav (Central Zone)
  • Ricky Bhui (South Zone)
• Player of the Match: Rajat Patidar (Central Zone)
• Expected Team Scores (Batting First):
  • Central Zone: 450+
  • South Zone: 350+
• Match Handicap: Central Zone

Key Matchups to Watch

• Rajat Patidar vs. R Sai Kishore: The battle between one of Central Zone’s most consistent batters and one of South Zone's best spinners could be a deciding factor.
• Narayan Jagadeesan vs. Saransh Jain: Jagadeesan's aggressive batting style will be tested against Jain’s disciplined off-spin.
• Gurjapneet Singh vs. Rajat Patidar: A potential duel between South Zone’s premier bowler and Central Zone’s key run-scorer.
• Devdutt Padikkal vs. Harsh Dubey: Padikkal’s elegance in the middle order versus Dubey’s aggressive pace.

Venue Insights

The BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru is a familiar and neutral ground for both teams. The pitch is expected to offer a fair contest between bat and ball, with some assistance for spinners in the later stages. The weather is likely to be favorable, with minimal chances of rain disruption.

Final Thoughts

While South Zone has been in excellent form with a powerful batting line-up led by Narayan Jagadeesan and Devdutt Padikkal, Central Zone’s balanced squad and superior bowling attack, particularly through Saransh Jain and Harsh Dubey, give them a slight edge. The final is expected to be a closely contested affair, with Central Zone emerging victorious based on their all-round performance in the tournament.

Prediction: Central Zone to Win by 100+ Runs

Conclusion

The Duleep Trophy 2025 final promises to be a showcase of emerging talent and competitive cricket. With both teams boasting strong squads and high-quality performers, fans can look forward to a gripping five-day battle. The final will not only decide the champion but also highlight the next generation of Indian cricket stars.

Tune in for what promises to be an unforgettable finale!
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