Chennai : Ishan Kishan’s East Zone clinched Duleep Trophy 2026 title with first innings lead win over South Zone at Chepauk, Chennai. This is East Zone’s 1st Duleep Trophy title in 13 years, 3rd overall – having won 2011-12, 2012-13 previously.
In first innings, Bengal skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran (72) and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (44) set the tone with 100 runs partnership. Shikhar Mohan (85) also played a vital knock along with crucial partnerships coming at number 3. But the star of the innings was iconic captain Ishan Kishan (270), he hammered a mammoth knock of 270 (334) comprising 7 sixes and 30 boundaries. He notched a 140 runs partnership with Kumar Kushagra (101) who scored 101 (132) comprising 5 sixes and 8 boundaries. Anukul Roy (45), Md Kounain Quraishi (40), Md Shami (28) also added crucial runs as East Zone finished on 708 after Batting 2 days, a total almost impossible for South Zone to cover. Tripurana Vijay picked 4 wickets for South Zone.
Trailing by a mountain to climb, South Zone began succumbing under pressure losing constant wickets. Some good resistance from Devdutt Padikkal (62), captain Tilak Varma (99), Milind (43), helped South Zone reach 336, already trailing in first innings. Bengal pacer, Mohammed Shami (2/42), Mukesh Kumar (3/62), along with Mohan (2/67) and Quraishi (2/99) completely dismantled South Zone Batting lineup.
In a tactical move, East Zone didn’t enforce Follow On over South Zone. Batting yet again in 2nd innings, East Zone lost Vaibhav and Easwaran cheaply on 13 runs. But Mohan (52), Ishan (80), Kushagra (46) completely took away the little pressure South Zone built. This set stage for iconic knock of 116*(190) by Quraishi comprising 4 sixes and 13 boundaries alongwith 150 runs partnership with Anukul Roy (64).
East Zone Batted out remaining day valiantly and on virtue of First innings lead, they secured their 3rd Duleep Trophy title.
Ishan was awarded Player of the match while Tilak Varma the player of the series.
Brief Scorecard –
EZONE: 708 & 388-7
SZONE : 336
Result : East Zone won on First Innings Lead – Match Draw.
