21-Year-Old Danish Malewar Shines with Career-Best 198* in Duleep Trophy 2025 Opener

Introduction – Danish Malewar continues dream run in domestic cricket

Young Vidarbha batter Danish Malewar has once again proven why he is one of India’s most exciting upcoming cricketers. The 21-year-old Ranji Trophy 2025 final hero carried his sublime form into the new domestic season, smashing a career-best unbeaten 198 for Central Zone (CZ) against North East Zone (NEZ) in the Duleep Trophy 2025 quarterfinals at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru on Thursday (August 28).

Key Points

• Danish Malewar, 21-year-old Vidarbha batter, scored an unbeaten 198 in the Duleep Trophy 2025 quarterfinal for Central Zone.
• This was his career-best score, surpassing his 153 in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy final.
• He shared two big partnerships: 144 runs with Aryan Juyal (retired hurt on 60) and 199 runs with skipper Rajat Patidar (125).
• Malewar hit 35 fours and one six in his innings before rain stopped play on day one.
• As of this knock, he has 981 first-class runs in 10 matches at an average of 65.4.
• He earlier played a match-winning role in Vidarbha’s Ranji Trophy final win against Kerala (153 & 73).
• Central Zone ended day one strongly on 470/3 in 89 overs against North East Zone.

Danish Malewar scores unbeaten 198 in Duleep Trophy 2025

After NEZ skipper Jonathan Rongsen elected to field first, CZ lost opener Ayush Pandey early. That brought Danish Malewar to the crease in just the third over. He built a solid 144-run stand with wicketkeeper Aryan Juyal, who retired hurt on 60. Later, CZ skipper Rajat Patidar joined him and added a brisk 199-run partnership, smashing a counter-attacking century (125 off 80 balls with 18 fours and 2 sixes).

Malewar remained the anchor, mixing patience with aggression. He reached his century first, and after Patidar’s dismissal, began accelerating with fluent drives and square cuts. A straight boundary after tea took him past his previous career-best (153), before he powered to 198 with 35 fours and one six*, when bad light and rain ended play prematurely.

At stumps, CZ stood at a commanding 470/3 in 89 overs.

Ranji Trophy 2025 final heroics revisited

Malewar is no stranger to pressure. Earlier this year, he delivered in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 final, scoring 153 in the first innings and 73 in the second against Kerala, guiding Vidarbha to a historic title. That innings made him an overnight star in Indian domestic cricket.

Career record in first-class cricket so far

In his just 10 first-class matches, Malewar has scored 981 runs at an average of 65.4, including multiple centuries and consistent fifties. and showing his dominance

Notable Best performances:

• 115 vs Gujarat (Nov 2024)
• 79 & 29 vs Mumbai (Feb 2025)
• 153 & 73 vs Kerala (Ranji Final, Mar 2025)
• 198* vs NEZ (Duleep Trophy, Aug 2025)

Why Danish Malewar is a name to watch in Indian cricket

At just 21, Malewar has shown temperament beyond his age, thriving in pressure games like finals and knockout fixtures. His ability to build long innings, rotate strike, and then shift gears when required makes him a potential future star for India.

With selectors keenly watching the domestic circuit ahead of the India A tours and the 2026 Ranji season, Malewar’s consistency could earn him higher opportunities in the near future.

Conclusion

Danish Malewar’s unbeaten 198 in the Duleep Trophy 2025 is a continuation of the remarkable form he displayed in the Ranji Trophy final earlier this year. With his impressive run tally and ability to deliver in high-stakes matches, Malewar is quickly becoming one of the brightest prospects in Indian domestic cricket. If he continues this momentum, a call-up to higher levels, including India A or national contention, may not be far away.

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