Bengaluru: South Zone booked their place in the Duleep Trophy final after registering a commanding seven-wicket victory, comfortably chasing down a target of 181, guided by Tilak Varma’s composed unbeaten half-century. Meanwhile, MD Nidheesh produced a stunning five-wicket haul on Day 4, Wednesday, September 2, as North Zone fought hard in the second semi-final of the Duleep Trophy at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 2 in Bengaluru.
The final day, Day 4, resumed with the unbeaten pair of Anshul Kamboj and Nishant Sindhu adding 41 runs before MD Nidheesh cleaned up the tail with the final three wickets, completing a stunning five-wicket haul for 56 runs as North Zone set South Zone a respectable target to chase. Ricky Bhui (42 off 53) and Narayan Jagadeesan (43 off 83) quickly set a positive tone with a 64-run opening partnership before South Zone were reduced to 102/3. North Zone briefly regained momentum, but captain Tilak Varma held his ground with a composed unbeaten 51 off 79, receiving valuable support from Smaran Ravichandran, who scored 32 off 42. The duo then stitched together an unbeaten 80-run partnership to seal the victory, calmly steering South Zone across the line at 182/3.
The final day, Day 4, resumed with the unbeaten pair of Anshul Kamboj and Nishant Sindhu adding another crucial 41 runs, extending their partnership to 60 off 78 balls from their overnight score of 156/7. However, MD Nidheesh provided the breakthrough, ending the partnership by dismissing Kamboj for 36 off 29 balls. He then quickly removed the rest of the tail, dismissing Gurnoor Brar for 7 off 7 and Arshdeep Singh for 12 off 9, as North Zone were bowled out for 297 after 72 overs. Nidheesh completed a spectacular five-wicket haul, conceding just 56 runs. Nishant Sindhu remained unbeaten on 35 off 72 balls.
South Zone came out to chase the modest target of 181, with the opening pair stitching together a valuable 64-run partnership off 92 balls to set a fluent and positive tone for the chase. Ricky Bhui played with aggressive intent, scoring 42 off 53 balls and striking seven boundaries before falling to Gurnoor Brar, who provided a crucial breakthrough for North Zone. Shaik Rasheed was then bowled by Abid Mushtaq for just one. Tilak Varma came to the crease and steadied the innings alongside Jagadeesan, displaying composure and control while ensuring there was no further damage, as South Zone reached 72/2 at lunch. The pair continued to score with composure, taking South Zone beyond the 100-run mark before Jagadeesan was stumped off Mushtaq after scoring 43 off 83 balls, including four boundaries. Smaran Ravichandran joined the captain at the crease, and the duo stitched together an unbeaten, match-winning 80-run partnership off 89 balls for the third wicket. Combining patience with controlled attacking intent, the pair kept the chase firmly under control, Tilak completed his patient half-century in style, striking a boundary to seal the victory. The duo remained unbeaten, with Ravichandran contributing 32 off 42 balls, while Tilak stayed unbeaten on a patient 51 off 79 balls, including eight boundaries.
The skipper, Tilak Varma, had already underlined his impressive performance by displaying excellent intent earlier in the match. He produced a magnificent unbeaten 116 off 250 balls after South Zone slipped to 80/5 while chasing 195. His crucial 175-run partnership with Shreyas Gopal, who scored 87, laid a solid foundation and paved the way for victory. Tilak then anchored the second innings with patience and composure, remaining unbeaten on 51 off 79 balls and being awarded the Player of the Match. South Zone will face East Zone in the Duleep Trophy 2026 final on Sunday, September 6, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Brief Scores:
North Zone 195 & 297 (Sanat Sangwan 76, Ayush Doseja 52; MD Nidheesh 5/56, Kavuri Saiteja 2/57) lost to South Zone 312 & 182/3 (Tilak Varma 51*, Narayan Jagadeesan 43, Ricky Bhui 42; Abid Mushtaq 2/55) by seven wickets.
