Did Yash Rathod’s 194 Help Central Zone Dominate?

Bengaluru, Sep 13 (NationPress) Yash Rathod narrowly missed achieving his first-class double century, yet his remarkable score of 194 placed Central Zone in a commanding position against South Zone on the third day of the 2025-26 Duleep Trophy final at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on Saturday.

Starting Day Three at 384 for 5, with a lead of 235 runs, Central posted a total of 511 in 145.1 overs, extending their lead to 362 runs. By stumps, South Zone was at 129 for 2, trailing by 233 runs.

Rathod, who began the day unbeaten, looked confident early, driving Gurjapneet Singh through midwicket, moving closer to his 150, which he achieved as the lead exceeded 250 runs.

He received solid backing from Saransh Jain, who notched his second consecutive fifty with a cut through point. The duo consolidated their position, but a crucial opportunity was missed by South Zone on 61 when Jain edged a delivery from Ankit Sharma, but no appeal was made. Ankit eventually claimed him for 69 with a flatter delivery that deceived Jain’s reverse sweep.

Meanwhile, Rathod accelerated his scoring, driving Vasuki Koushik past mid-off and lifting Ricky Bhui over long-on. Deepak Chahar also contributed significantly, first surviving a review when struck on the pads by Ankit and then counterattacking with boundaries over long-on, through point, and past cover. His brisk 37 runs were crucial in increasing the lead.

However, after lunch, Rathod grew impatient. His marathon innings of 286 balls concluded when Gurjapneet bowled him out for 194. Subsequently, Central faltered, losing their last four wickets for a mere 11 runs. Ankit wrapped up the innings with figures of 4 for 180 from 44.1 overs, while Gurjapneet recorded 4 for 124 in 28 overs.

With the pitch becoming more favorable, South Zone’s openers commenced positively. Tanmay Agarwal and Mohit Kale handled the new ball adeptly, reaching tea at 57 without losing a wicket. Kale, initially cautious, found his rhythm, striking four boundaries against Chahar. However, Jain provided the breakthrough post-tea, trapping Kale lbw. Soon after, Agarwal misjudged a delivery from Kuldeep Sen, leaving his off bail dislodged.

R. Smaran and Ricky Bhui countered the situation with intent, forming an unbroken 53-run partnership against the spinners. Smaran narrowly escaped a close lbw decision against Jain, thanks to an inside edge, and the pair brought South to 129 for 2 before bad light curtailed play.

Brief scores:

South Zone 149 & 129/2 in 33 overs (Ravichandran Smaran 37 not out, Mohit Kale 38; Saransh Jain 1-32, Kuldeep Sen 1-22) trail Central Zone 511 all out in 145.1 overs (Yash Rathod 194, Saransh Jain 69; Gurpanjeet Singh 4-124, Ankit Sharma 4-180) by 233 runs.