Fast bowlers dominated the opening day of the Duleep Trophy semifinals on Sunday, with East Zone and South Zone gaining the upper hand through impressive bowling performances. Mukesh Kumar and Abhijit Sarkar led East Zone’s charge against Central Zone, while Vidwath Kaverappa’s four-wicket burst helped South Zone put North Zone under pressure before a late fightback with the ball kept the contest alive.
East Zone captain Ishan Kishan’s decision to bowl after winning the toss proved to be an inspired one as Central Zone were dismissed for 266 in 80.1 overs. Mukesh returned figures of 3 for 56 and Sarkar claimed 3 for 38, with Mohammed Shami and off-spinner Md Kounain Quraishi picking up two wickets each.
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Central Zone struggled to build momentum after being asked to bat, losing wickets at regular intervals and slipping to 125 for 5 by the 45th over. Rinku Singh provided some much-needed resistance with a 60 off 88 balls, while wicketkeeper-opener Aryan Juyal contributed 46.
Rinku and Harsh Dubey, who made 27, briefly revived the innings through a 55-run partnership for the sixth wicket. However, Central Zone’s resistance weakened after Dubey was trapped in front by Quraishi in the 60th over.
Saransh Jain and Aryan Pandey chipped in with 13 and 22 respectively, but neither could convert their starts. Yash Thakur added some late impetus with a brisk 30 off 26 deliveries, although Central Zone eventually fell short of the 300-run mark.
In the other semifinal, Kaverappa spearheaded South Zone’s bowling attack with figures of 4 for 66 as North Zone were bowled out for 195. MD Nidheesh took two wickets for 36, while Tanay Thyagarajan also struck twice, conceding 31 runs.
Kavuri Saiteja and Shreyas Gopal completed the wicket-taking effort with one scalp each. The pace bowlers made the most of the conditions, accounting for eight of the 12 wickets to fall during the day.
North Zone opener Qamran Iqbal stood out amid the collapse, producing a determined 76 from 182 balls. His innings included 10 fours and a six as he held one end together while wickets continued to fall around him.
Sanat Sangwan, making his return to the XI, was the first batter to fall after offering a return catch to Nidheesh. Saiteja removed Ayush Doseja for 23, while Thyagarajan dismissed Ayush Badoni and North Zone captain Kanhaiya Wadhawan, who made 35.
Iqbal continued to battle patiently and looked to keep the scoreboard moving when opportunities arose. His resistance finally ended when Kaverappa had him caught behind off a short delivery before the Karnataka pacer went on to clean up the lower order.
South Zone’s reply, however, got off to a shaky start as they reached 40 for 2 at stumps, still trailing North Zone by 155 runs. Anshul Kamboj bowled Ricky Bhui for five, while Gurnoor Brar trapped Shaik Rasheed lbw without scoring.
Narayan Jagadeesan remained unbeaten on 34 off 58 balls, having struck six boundaries, and will resume alongside skipper Tilak Varma, who was yet to open his account when play ended. With South Zone’s early setbacks keeping North Zone in the contest, both semifinals remain finely poised heading into the second day.
– Ends
