New Delhi: Rajat Patidar will captain the India A team in the first match of the three-match ODI series against Australia A starting on September 30. This batsman who led Royal Challengers Bangalore to their first IPL title this year is now considered ready for the national team. Excellent performance in Duleep Trophy Patidar recently captained the Central Zone in the Duleep Trophy 2025 and led the team to a six-wicket win against South Zone in the final. He played a decisive innings of 101 runs in 115 balls in the final and was also the top scorer in the entire tournament by scoring 382 runs in five innings. This included two centuries and two half-centuries. Called captaincy an honour and responsibility On being given the captaincy of India A Patidar said It is a great honour for me to lead the India A team in the series against Australia A. This is a golden opportunity to prove myself and stake my claim for selection in the senior Indian team. He further said This year has been very special in my career. From MPs Ranji team to captaining RCB in IPL—everywhere I got responsibility and the team showed faith in me. Will adopt the lessons learnt from RCB in India A Patidar said that the season with RCB gave him a real understanding of team leadership. Being the captain of the team means that the players are ready to take a bullet for each other. This unity led us to success in RCB and I would like to bring the same feeling to the India A team as well. Story Highlights Rajat Patidar will captain India A against Australia A from September 30. He was the top scorer in Duleep Trophy 2025 scored a century in the final. He led RCB to their first title in IPL 2025. He said – Captaincy is both a lesson and an honour for me.