Bengaluru, Aug. 28 -- Madhya Pradesh and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) stalwart Rajat Patidar kick-started his Duleep Trophy campaign in the quarterfinals with an 80-ball century for Central Zone against North East Zone in Bengaluru on Thursday.

Patidar, appointed as captain of the side with wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel ruled out, smashed 125 in 96 balls, with 21 fours and three sixes at a strike rate of almost 130.

NEZ won the toss and elected to field first and had their opponets at 4/1, with Aayush Pandey (3) dismissed by Akash Choudhary, the right-armed pacer.

At number three walked Danish Malewar, who had compiled 153 and 73 for Vidarbha in the Ranji Trophy final this season against Kerala in a winning effort. The 21-year-o...