The 2025-26 domestic cricket season started with the Duleep Trophy, where Vidarbha’s young batter Danish Malewar impressed everyone with his brilliant performance. The 21-year-old scored a superb 203 runs for Central Zone against North East Zone before retiring, proving his strength in red-ball cricket at such a young age.
Malewar’s rise has been very quick since his first-class debut in late 2024. In his debut Ranji Trophy season, he scored 783 runs, including a match-winning 153 in the final against Kerala that helped Vidarbha win their third Ranji Trophy title. He finished as the team’s third-highest run-scorer, behind Yash Rathod and Karun Nair. With his recent innings, Malewar also became the first Vidarbha batter to score a century in Duleep Trophy history.
Danish Malewar’s big moment came during the 2024 Ranji Trophy knockouts. He scored a fighting 79 in the semifinal against Mumbai and then played a key role in the final against Kerala. He ended the season with an average of 52.20, making him the fifth-highest run-getter of the tournament.
Usually batting at No. 3, the Nagpur-born cricketer is often compared to Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara for his calm style and patience at the crease. In just 10 first-class games, he already has five scores above fifty, a few of them converted into centuries, with a superb average of 65.40. But his success hasn’t come easy—he comes from a humble, lower-middle-class background.
“My father always dreamed of seeing me become a cricketer, so he put me in an academy when I was just seven. He went through many struggles but never let my cricket needs go unmet. During my junior days, whenever I scored runs, some people would gift me bats, pads, or gloves. I only started earning money from cricket after playing at the under-19 level,” Malewar told Indian Express.
Malewar came in early and showed great composure while building the innings. He first added 144 runs with Aryan Juyal before Juyal retired hurt on 60. Then, he shared a huge 199-run partnership with captain Rajat Patidar, who scored 125 off 96 balls.
Malewar’s brilliant double century not only showed his ability to play long innings but also highlighted his rising importance in India’s domestic cricket. With veterans like Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli retired from Tests, selectors are likely watching him closely for the key No. 3 spot in red-ball internationals. If he keeps performing well in the 2025-26 season, a call-up to the Indian Test team could be on the horizon.
FAQ
Who is Danish Malewar?
Danish Malewar is a young batter from Vidarbha who recently made headlines by scoring a double century on his Duleep Trophy debut.
How did Malewar perform in his debut Duleep Trophy match?
He scored a brilliant double century, anchoring the innings and forming key partnerships with Aryan Juyal (144 runs) and captain Rajat Patidar (199 runs).
What does this performance say about his batting style?
The innings showed his ability to play long, composed innings, demonstrating maturity and technique beyond his years.
Could Malewar be in contention for India’s Test team?
With senior players like Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli retired, selectors are likely monitoring him for the No. 3 spot in red-ball internationals.
