RCB Captain Rajat Patidar Turns Beast Mode, Hits 80-Ball Hundred in Duleep Trophy

Rajat Patidar, who was recently named Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL captain, made a thunderous start to his domestic campaign with a blistering hundred for Central Zone in the Duleep Trophy clash against North East Zone in Bengaluru.

Returning from hand and heel injuries, Patidar stepped up in style after stand-in skipper Dhruv Jurel was ruled out with a groin niggle.

Leading Central Zone, Patidar counterattacked the North East bowlers and raised his century in just 80 deliveries, bringing back glimpses of his IPL flair in the red-ball format.

Earlier, Central lost Aayush Pandey cheaply, but Danish Malewar and Aryan Juyal steadied the innings with a strong partnership. Juyal retired hurt on 60, but Malewar continued unfazed and raised his own hundred.

From there, Patidar took charge, punishing the depleted North East attack with clean hitting all around the park.

Patidar’s return to form comes as a relief after his underwhelming IPL 2025, where he managed just 312 runs at an average of 24.

His aggressive ton signals encouraging signs for both Madhya Pradesh ahead of the Ranji season and RCB fans waiting to see their new captain find consistency.

At stumps, Central Zone were in complete control at 314/1, with Malewar unbeaten on 132 and Patidar cruising on 111*.