Narayan Jagadeesan (42), Ricky Bhui (43) and Tilak Varma (51 not out) played crucial hands in the second innings as South Zone usurped North Zone by seven wickets, which in turn ensured that they would secure their place in the final of the ongoing 2026 Duleep Trophy against East Zone in Chennai, starting September 6.
In a chase of 181, Jagadeesan and Bhui stitched a stand of 64 in just over 15 overs to set the platform for the victory. Bhui, who took on Gurnoor Brar’s short balls, finally fell to the same fast bowler from Punjab.
Although Shaik Rasheed didn’t last long, the pair of Jagadeesan and Tilak took South Zone closer to the target with a stand of 31. It was against the run of play that Jagadeesan was stumped off Abid Mushtaq’s bowling.
Tilak, however, essayed a flurry of shots off Mushtaq and Ayush Badoni to more or less seal the deal. He also found an able ally in Smaran Ravichandran.
For South Zone, MD Nidheesh’s five-for in the second innings proved to be a difference between the two sides. Tilak, though, was the cornerstone of the victory as he crunched an undefeated 116 in the first innings; steering his team from a precariously placed 88 for 5. Vidwath Kaverappa also played his part with a four-wicket haul in the first dig. However, South Zone would be sweating over the fitness of Kaverappa after he got injured in the second innings.
Meanwhile, North Zone would be disappointed with their first-innings effort of 195.
Brief scores: North Zone 195 and 297 lost to South Zone 312 and 182/3 (Tilak Varma 51 not out) by 7 wickets
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