Will Central Zone Triumph Over West Zone in Duleep Trophy Semis?
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Synopsis
Central Zone's triumph over North-East Zone propels them to the Duleep Trophy semi-finals. With an impressive first-innings lead, they will now clash with West Zone for a chance at the title. This thrilling matchup promises to be a highlight in the cricket calendar!
Key Takeaways
- Central Zone advances to the semi-finals.
- Matched North-East Zone in a drawn quarter-final.
- Impressive performances from Jehu Anderson and R Jonathan.
- Next match against West Zone on September 4.
- Cricket fans should watch for thrilling moments ahead!
Bengaluru, Aug 31 (NationPress) - Central Zone has successfully progressed to the Duleep Trophy semi-finals due to their first-innings lead against North-East Zone in a drawn quarter-final match held at the BCCI CoE Ground 2 on Sunday. They are set to compete against West Zone in the semi-final at the CoE starting September 4.
During the morning session, North East Zone embarked on an arduous chase of 679 runs for victory after Central Zone declared their innings at 331/7 in 80.3 overs, giving them a substantial lead of 678 runs. North East managed to reach 200/6 in 58 overs before the match concluded in a stalemate, with Jehu Anderson and R Jonathan scoring 64 and 60 respectively.
The chase commenced with Karnajit Yumnam and Techi Doria facing tough bowling from Deepak Chahar and Khaleel Ahmed, building a 40-run opening partnership. Central Zone struck in the 14th over when left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey had Yumnam (17) caught by captain Rajat Patidar at cover.
On the subsequent delivery, Central Zone made another breakthrough as Aditya Thakare dismissed Doria for 15, followed by Ashish Thapa, who nicked behind to substitute keeper Upendra Yadav for 13. However, Anderson and Jonathan demonstrated remarkable resilience, forming a partnership of 110 runs off 168 balls for the fourth wicket.
This admirable fightback was halted when off-spinner Shubham Sharma removed Anderson for 64 and later bowled out Hem Chetri. Dubey then claimed his second wicket by dismissing Jonathan for 60, causing North East Zone to plummet from 176/3 to 186/6, losing three wickets for just 10 runs. With no clear winner, both teams consented to a draw at tea and play was subsequently called off.
Brief Scores: Central Zone 532/4 dec and 331/7 dec (Shubham Sharma 122; Akash Kumar 2-44) draw with North East Zone 185 and 200/6 in 58 overs (Jehu Anderson 64, R Jonathan 60; Shubham Sharma 2-10, Aditya Thakare 2-21)
Point of View
I emphasize the significance of this victory for Central Zone in the Duleep Trophy. Their journey has showcased resilience and skill, setting the stage for an exciting semi-final against West Zone. This match not only highlights individual players' talents but also the competitive spirit of regional cricket, a vital aspect of our national sports landscape.
NationPress
31/08/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Duleep Trophy?
The Duleep Trophy is a first-class cricket tournament in India, featuring teams representing different geographical zones of the country.
When will the semi-final between Central Zone and West Zone take place?
The semi-final is scheduled for September 4 at the BCCI CoE Ground.
Who scored the most runs in the quarter-final match?
Jehu Anderson and R Jonathan both made significant contributions, scoring 64 and 60 runs respectively for North East Zone.
