The Duleep Trophy quarter-finals opened in Bengaluru with major changes in leadership. Central Zone’s regular captain Dhruv Jurel and East Zone’s skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran, were unavailable for their respective matches on Thursday, forcing last-minute captaincy switches. Jurel was ruled out of the Central Zone clash against NorthEast Zone due to a groin strain that resurfaced during practice on the eve of the match. Although the Test wicketkeeper attended pre-match routines, team management decided against risking him. Rajat Patidar, Central Zone’s vice-captain and IPL-winning captain with Royal Challengers Bengaluru earlier this year, stepped in to lead the side in a crucial knockout fixture. Read also: Unfiltered Md Shami! Pacer jabs at Indian team's selection pattern East Zone Hit Hard by Absences East Zone faced an even steeper challenge. Easwaran, slated to lead against North Zone at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, developed a fever on the morning of the game. His absence added to the woes of a side already missing pacer Akash Deep and wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan. Assam all-rounder Riyan Parag was handed the captaincy, tasked with rallying a depleted unit against a strong opponent. Easwaran’s withdrawal was significant, coming soon after his involvement in India’s five-Test tour of England, where he remained benched throughout. Like Jurel, Easwaran has featured in India’s red-ball squad but continues to seek consistent opportunities. Both players would have hoped to make a strong case in this domestic tournament. North Zone also entered the match without their original skipper. Shubman Gill, recovering from illness, could not take the field. Vice-captain Ankit Kumar assumed leadership duties, while Shubham Goel was drafted in as Gill’s replacement. Read also: Watch: Money Grewal’s Hat-Trick Destroys East Delhi Riders in DPL Playing XIs for both sides: North East Zone: Karnajit Yumnam, Techi Doria, Hem Chetri, Rongsen Jonathan(c), Ashish Thapa, Jehu Anderson(w), Ankur Malik, Palzor Tamang, Bishworjit Konthoujam, Akash Choudhary, Pheiroijam Jotin Central Zone: Aayush Pandey, Danish Malewar, Rajat Patidar(c), Aryan Juyal(w), Yash Rathod, Shubham Sharma, Harsh Dubey, Kuldeep Yadav, Deepak Chahar, Aditya Thakare, Khaleel Ahmed