Duleep Trophy Final: Central Zone dominate at lunch on Day 2

Resuming from 50 without loss, Central Zone added 102 runs in 49 overs before the interval, seizing control of the contest.

After winning the toss and electing to bowl on Thursday, Central Zone’s bowlers skittled South Zone for 149 in their first innings. Saransh Jain was the chief architect of the collapse, claiming a career-best five for, while left-arm spinner Kumar Kartikeya picked up four wickets. South Zone’s innings lacked a substantial contribution; only Tanmay Agarwal posted a notable score of 31, with Salman Nizar (24), Ankit Sharma (20), Ricky Bhui (15) and MD Nidhesh (12) providing minor support.

Central Zone’s reply began steadily, but they lost opener Akshay Wadkar for 22 early in the day. Shubman Sharma followed soon after, edging through for six. Captain Rajat Patidar and young Yash Rathod then steadied the ship, putting together a pivotal 59-run partnership. Patidar inched closer to a half-century, anchoring the innings with authoritative drives and deft late-cut shots, while Rathod played fluently at the other end.

Danish Malewar earlier led the scoring for Central Zone on Day 1, posting a patient 53 before falling to a sharp catch at slip. His knock laid the foundation for the middle-order resilience shown today. As lunch approached, Central Zone appeared poised to build a commanding lead.

Both teams reached the final after their respective semifinals against West Zone and North Zone ended in draws. South Zone, seeking a 14th title, and Central Zone, gunning for a seventh, will hope for breakthroughs as play resumes. With two of their top order dismissed and Patidar well set, Central Zone remain firmly in the driver’s seat.