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Defending champions Central Zone will begin their title defence when they take on East Zone in the first semi-final of the Duleep Trophy 2026-27 at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 1 in Bengaluru from August 30. Central Zone received a direct entry into the semi-finals after winning the competition last season, while East Zone booked their place in the last four after thrashing North East Zone by an innings and 210 runs in the quarter-final.
Central Zone will be led once again by Rajat Patidar, who guided the side to the title last year. Rinku Singh has been appointed his deputy, while the squad features a strong mix of experienced domestic performers and players with India experience.
The squad includes the likes of Harsh Dubey, Yash Thakur, Saransh Jain, Zeeshan Ansari, Aman Mokhade and Yash Rathod. With East Zone arriving on the back of a dominant quarter-final victory, Central will need to get their combination right from the outset.
Here is the predicted playing XI of Central Zone for the Duleep Trophy 2026 semi-final against East Zone:
Aman Mokhade is expected to open the innings for Central Zone.
The Vidarbha batter enjoyed a breakthrough 2025-26 domestic season, scoring 760 runs from 11 innings at an average of 76. His consistency earned him an India A call-up and subsequently a place in the Central Zone squad.
Against an East Zone attack featuring Mohammed Shami and Mukesh Kumar, Mokhade will have a significant challenge. However, his recent red-ball form makes him one of Central’s most important top-order players.
Ayush Pandey is likely to partner Mokhade at the top.
The Chhattisgarh opener also featured for India A in Sri Lanka and has earned his place in the Central squad following impressive domestic performances. His ability to occupy the crease for long periods could be crucial against East’s experienced pace attack.
Central will hope Pandey can survive the new-ball threat posed by Shami and Mukesh before allowing the middle order to take control.
Captain Rajat Patidar should come in at No. 3.
Patidar was instrumental in Central Zone’s title triumph last season, finishing as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 382 runs, including a century in the final.
The Madhya Pradesh batter’s experience will be invaluable in a knockout game. He will be expected to anchor the innings while also accelerating when the situation demands.
With East boasting a potent bowling attack, Patidar could be the key to Central’s batting plans.
Yash Rathod is likely to occupy the No. 4 position.
The Vidarbha batter has established himself as a dependable performer in domestic cricket and was rewarded with a place in the Central squad following his consistent performances.
Rathod will have the responsibility of building partnerships around Patidar and Rinku Singh. His ability to play long innings could become particularly important if Central lose an early wicket.
Rinku Singh should bat at No. 5 and serve as Patidar’s deputy.
Although better known for his white-ball exploits, Rinku has been included in Central’s red-ball squad and will be keen to demonstrate his ability in the longer format.
His aggressive approach can provide Central with momentum after the top order has laid the foundation. Rinku’s experience at the highest level also makes him an important figure in the dressing room.
Aryan Juyal is expected to take the gloves.
The Uttar Pradesh wicketkeeper-batter is likely to get the nod over Kunal Singh Rathod because of his experience and ability to contribute with the bat.
Juyal’s role will extend beyond wicketkeeping. With Central potentially relying heavily on spin, his work behind the stumps could become crucial against East Zone’s aggressive batters.
Harsh Dubey should provide the balance to Central’s XI.
The Vidarbha all-rounder is capable of contributing significantly with his left-arm spin while also adding useful runs down the order. His inclusion gives Patidar an additional bowling option and strengthens the lower middle order.
Dubey’s performance could be particularly important against East Zone’s left-handers, including Ishan Kishan and Shahbaz Ahmed.
Saransh Jain is expected to be one of Central’s principal spin options.
The Madhya Pradesh all-rounder received his maiden India Test call-up before the Duleep Trophy and has been rewarded for his consistency in domestic cricket. He is expected to play a major role in Central’s spin attack alongside Dubey and Zeeshan Ansari.
His ability to bowl long spells and contribute lower-order runs makes him a valuable asset in a four-day game.
Zeeshan Ansari could be Central’s second specialist spinner.
The Uttar Pradesh leg-spinner returned to first-class cricket after a lengthy absence and subsequently attracted attention from the national selectors. He was also part of India A’s tour of Sri Lanka.
Against East Zone’s technically strong batting lineup, Ansari’s variations could be vital, particularly once the ball gets older.
Yash Thakur should lead Central’s pace attack.
The Vidarbha seamer has been included in India’s wider setup and brings considerable domestic experience. His ability to bowl a disciplined line for extended periods makes him an important option in the four-day format.
Thakur could be particularly important with the new ball against Abhimanyu Easwaran and Sudip Kumar Gharami.
Nachiket Bhute is likely to complete the XI.
Another Vidarbha seamer, Bhute provides Central with a useful right-arm pace option alongside Thakur. His ability to generate movement and maintain pressure from the other end could complement Thakur effectively.
The pair will have a difficult task against an East Zone batting lineup that produced two massive individual hundreds in the quarter-final.
Aman Mokhade, Ayush Pandey, Rajat Patidar (C), Yash Rathod, Rinku Singh, Aryan Juyal (WK), Harsh Dubey, Saransh Jain, Zeeshan Ansari, Yash Thakur, Nachiket Bhute
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