Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Sept 7: Central Zone advanced to the 2025/26 Duleep Trophy final after securing a crucial first-innings lead against West Zone in their semi-final clash at the BCCI CoE Ground 2. The drawn match saw Central progress thanks to their mammoth 600-run total, giving them a 162-run lead that proved decisive.

Central Zone will now face South Zone in the title clash starting September 11.

Batting first, West Zone had posted a competitive 438, but Central Zone responded strongly, powered by five half-centuries — from Shubham Sharma (96), Upendra Yadav (87), Harsh Dubey, Rajat Patidar, and Saransh Jain. The team batted for 164.3 overs, grinding down the opposition bowlers to claim a commanding first-innings lead.

Resuming Day 4 at 556/8, Central added quick runs through Yash Thakur (21 off 21) and Saransh Jain, who counter-attacked his way to a well-made fifty, before being dismissed for 55 by Khaleel Ahmed.

In their second innings, West Zone batted with little pressure but couldn’t build a threatening total, finishing on 216/8 in 53.3 overs. Yashasvi Jaiswal hit a fluent 64, and Tanush Kotian remained unbeaten on 60, but Saransh Jain (5/84) and Harsh Dubey (3/96) ensured West Zone were never in the driver’s seat.

The match ended in a draw, but Central's dominance in the first innings proved enough to book their place in the final.

Brief Scores:

• West Zone: 438 & 216/8 in 53.3 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 64, Tanush Kotian 60*; Saransh Jain 5-84, Harsh Dubey 3-96)
• Central Zone: 600 in 164.3 overs (Shubham Sharma 96, Upendra Yadav 87; Dharmendrasinh Jadeja 4-130, Arzan Nagwaswalla 3-57)
• Result: Match drawn; Central Zone qualified for final on first-innings lead.