Rajat Patidar's 2025 has been nothing short of spectacular. He made Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) long-time dream come true by winning their first-ever IPL title, led Madhya Pradesh to the final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and now he is at the helm of Central Zone's charge for the Duleep Trophy. What is impressive is the manner in which his batting has not suffered at the hands of the captaincy responsibility. If anything, the weight has clarified him. In Bengaluru, he again led by example, hitting a fluent century to place his side in command in the final against South Zone. This final has also come as a much-needed reminder that Patidar desires a Test return. His scores in tournament finals, such as 81* in SMAT, an important 26 in the IPL final showpiece, and now 101 in the Duleep Trophy speak about a person who loves big stages. Also Read: 2025 Asia Cup ticket prices reduced after seats stayed unsold Central Zone on Top as Patidar and Rathod Smash Tons Starting from 50 without any loss, Central Zone had a problematic first session. Opener Akshay Wadkar was dismissed early to Vasuki Koushik's inswinger, and Danish Malewar's gutsy half-century came to an end when he edged Gurjapneet Singh to slip. At 93 for 3, the match hung in the balance till skipper Patidar joined forces with Yash Rathod. The duo took the game away with a dominance 167-run partnership. Patidar played with finesse, driving effortlessly and attacking the spinners with shots over cover and sweeping. A life on 44 turned expensive for South Zone as he turned it into a century, his 15th in first-class cricket. He was out soon after hitting 101 from 115 balls, but Central by then had the game in their jaws. Rathod continued relentlessly, finishing his own century in the last session. He remained unbeaten on 137 at the end of the day, while Saransh Jain, hero of the ball on Day 1, also supported him well with a confident 47*. Their stand of an unconcluded century took Central to 384 for 5 at stumps with an imposing lead of 235. South Zone, 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.