How Did Jagadeesan’s Century and Padikkal’s Fifty Propel South Zone Forward?
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Synopsis
Witness the thrilling action of the 2025/26 Duleep Trophy semi-final as N Jagadeesan's remarkable century and Devdutt Padikkal's quick fifty set South Zone up for success against North Zone. Dive into this captivating match report that highlights the resilience and skill of these players in a high-stakes battle.
Key Takeaways
- N Jagadeesan scored an impressive unbeaten century.
- Devdutt Padikkal supported well with a solid fifty.
- South Zone reached a strong total of 297/3 by day’s end.
- North Zone struggled to contain the South Zone batsmen.
- The match showcased the competitive nature of the Duleep Trophy.
Bengaluru, Sep 4 (NationPress) Wicketkeeper-batter N Jagadeesan scored a well-crafted century, placing South Zone in a commanding position at the conclusion of day one in their 2025/26 Duleep Trophy semi-final against North Zone at the BCCI COE Ground 1 on Thursday.
Starting with a cautious approach, Jagadeesan reached his fifty off 124 balls before accelerating after the lunch break, completing his century in just 60 more deliveries. South Zone ended the day at 297/3 in 81 overs, with Jagadeesan remaining unbeaten on 148 from 260 balls, featuring 13 fours and 2 sixes to anchor their innings and fend off the bowlers.
Jagadeesan received solid backing from top-order batter Devdutt Padikkal, who contributed a brisk 57, forming a significant 128-run partnership for the second wicket. Although Padikkal was dismissed just before tea, it was one of the rare successes for North Zone on a day dominated by the South Zone batsmen.
After being asked to bat first, Jagadeesan and Tanmay Agarwal put together a solid opening stand, reaching 79/0 by the time lunch arrived. Tanmay hit some early boundaries before slowing down, while Jagadeesan managed to survive a no-ball when he was on nine against seam-bowling all-rounder Anshul Kamboj. The pair held their ground despite some movement for the pacers and a challenging spell from left-arm spinner Nishant Sindhu.
The opening partnership of 103 runs was eventually broken by Sindhu, who bowled Agarwal for 43. Jagadeesan and Padikkal balanced caution with aggression to secure their fifties, with Jagadeesan reaching his century just as Padikkal edged behind off Kamboj.
Jagadeesan kept South Zone's momentum going, even as Sindhu trapped Mohit Kale lbw. However, skipper Mohammad Azharuddeen remained at the crease with 11 not out, ensuring day one was firmly in South Zone's favor.
Brief Scores: South Zone 297/3 in 81 overs (N Jagadeesan 148 not out, Devdutt Padikkal 57; Nishant Sindhu 2-59, Anshul Kamboj 1-47) against North Zone
Point of View
I observe that South Zone's remarkable performance, led by N Jagadeesan and Devdutt Padikkal, underscores the depth of talent in Indian cricket. This match not only showcases the players' skills but also highlights the competitive spirit of the Duleep Trophy, a vital platform for emerging cricketers.
NationPress
04/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the standout performer in the match?
N Jagadeesan was the standout performer, scoring an unbeaten 148 runs.
What was the score for South Zone at the end of day one?
South Zone ended day one at 297/3 in 81 overs.
How many runs did Devdutt Padikkal score?
Devdutt Padikkal contributed a quick 57 runs.
Who took the wickets for North Zone?
Nishant Sindhu took 2 wickets, while Anshul Kamboj took 1 wicket for North Zone.
Where was the match played?
The match was played at the BCCI COE Ground 1 in Bengaluru.
