South Dominates North to Secure Final Showdown with Central in Duleep Trophy 2025

On the final day of their Duleep Trophy semifinal at the BCCI CoE Ground, South Zone secured their victory against North Zone with a strong morning performance on Sunday. In the upcoming final at the same venue on Thursday, South Zone will face Central Zone.

North Zone started the day at 278 for five, needing 259 more runs to surpass South’s first-innings score. Their challenge grew harder immediately as key batter Shubham Khajuria was bowled out by V. Koushik on the second ball, having scored 128 runs. Khajuria’s dismissal left South Zone in a commanding position.

Sahil Lothra (19 off 31 balls) and Mayank Dagar (31 off 40 balls) offered resistance as overcast conditions sparked North’s hope for rain interruption, which did not occur. Fast bowler M.D. Nidheesh from Kerala bowled an impressive spell, dismissing both Lothra and Dagar, ultimately all out for 361, falling 175 runs short of South’s total. South Zone’s second innings ended after 24.4 overs as both teams agreed to conclude the match.

On Saturday, Central Zone had all but secured their spot in the final by gaining a first-innings lead with Saransh Jain (63 not out) and Deepak Chahar (33) contributing to a total of 600. In response, West Zone’s Yashasvi Jaiswal (64), Aarya Desai (35), and Tanush Kotian (40 not out) added runs.

Central’s Saransh Jain shone with the ball, taking 5 wickets for 84 runs to restrict West Zone to 216 for 8. As Tea approached, the teams agreed to end play with Central holding the advantage.

West Zone’s captain, Shardul Thakur, reflected on the challenging conditions for fast bowlers on the batsmen-friendly pitches. “There was not much for fast bowlers. As a fast bowler, I hope for more balanced pitches that cater to batters, fast bowlers, and spinners alike,” he remarked.

Scores Summary:

• South Zone: 536 & 95/1 in 24.4 overs (N. Jagadeesan 52 not out) drew with North Zone: 361 in 100.1 overs (Shubham Khajuria 128, Nishant Sindhu 82, Ayush Badoni 40, Mayank Dagar 31, Gurjapneet Singh 4/96, M.D. Nidheesh 3/82). Player of the Match: N. Jagadeesan
• West Zone: 438 & 216/8 in 53.3 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 64, Aarya Desai 35, Tanush Kotian 40 not out, Saransh Jain 5/84) drew with Central Zone: 600 in 164.3 overs (Ayush Pandey 40, Danish Malewar 76, Shubham Sharma 96, Rajat Patidar 77, Upendra Yadav 87, Harsh Dubey 75, Saransh Jain 63 not out, Deepak Chahar 33, Dharmendrasinh Jadeja 4/130, Arzan Nagwaswalla 3/57). Player of the Match: Saransh Jain

Published on September 7, 2025