East Zone secured the Duleep Trophy for the first time in 13 years after a dominant performance against South Zone in a match that ended in a draw. The East side posted 708 runs in the first innings, creating a 372‑run advantage, and then added 388 for seven in the second innings, bringing the overall lead to 760 runs.
Key contributors included Mohammad Kounian Quraishi, who scored an unbeaten 116 in his first first‑class century, and Ishan Kishan, who made 270 in the opening innings. Veteran bowler Mohammed Shami, playing his 100th first‑class match, delivered a spirited performance, while Kumar Kushagra added his sixth first‑class hundred and Shikhar Mohan contributed a composed fifty.
South Zone struggled with selection, leaving out in‑form players such as Karun Nair, Mayank Agarwal and Sai Kishore. The lack of support for bowler Mohammed Siraj and a weak batting effort highlighted the team’s shortcomings.
Kishan explained his approach: “We batted for roughly two days; as a unit we know this is essentially a first‑innings shootout. Our primary task was to take those first 10 wickets and gain that lead. If we have an innings lead, why would I want to step back out in the blazing heat?” The captain’s tactical focus helped East convert a draw into a historic victory.
