How Did Ankit and Dhull's Centuries Elevate North Zone's Dominance Over East Zone?
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Synopsis
In a gripping Duleep Trophy match, North Zone's Ankit Kumar and Yash Dhull showcased their batting prowess with stellar centuries. Their remarkable performances ensured North Zone's commanding lead against East Zone, leaving fans in anticipation of the final outcome. Discover the highlights and key moments from this thrilling encounter.
Key Takeaways
- Ankit Kumar scored a remarkable 168 not out.
- Yash Dhull contributed a solid 133 runs.
- North Zone established a commanding lead of 563 runs.
- East Zone struggled without their key bowler, Mukesh Kumar.
- The match showcased the depth of talent in Indian cricket.
Bengaluru, Aug 30 (NationPress) Centuries from captain Ankit Kumar and Yash Dhull propelled North Zone into a dominant stance against East Zone, as they posted an impressive 388/2 in 90 overs by the end of Day Three in their Duleep Trophy encounter at the BCCI COE Ground 1 on Saturday.
Ankit remained not out at 168 from 264 balls, featuring 16 fours and a six, and formed a formidable 240-run stand with Dhull, who scored 133 off 157 deliveries, including 14 fours and three sixes, allowing North Zone to build a staggering lead of 563 runs.
On a cloudy day, East Zone struggled as their bowling attack faced relentless pressure from Ankit, Dhull, and Ayush Badoni. Their situation was further aggravated by the absence of pacer Mukesh Kumar, who was sidelined due to a potential hamstring injury.
Supporting Ankit in the run fest is Ayush Badoni, who remains unbeaten at 56 off 78 balls, including three boundaries. In the morning session, North Zone opted against enforcing the follow-on, and with East Zone bowlers struggling with their line and length, Ankit and Shubham Khajuria established a 54-run opening partnership before Khajuria fell to Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal.
While Ankit reached his fifty off 74 balls, Dhull aggressively attacked spinners Manishi and Riyan Parag, bringing up his fifty in just 49 balls. The duo faced little trouble during their partnership, with Dhull achieving his century off 112 balls, while Ankit completed his ton off 155 deliveries.
However, Dhull’s innings concluded shortly after the tea break when he was trapped lbw by Parag while trying to pull a short ball. With renowned players like Mohammed Siraj, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Akash Deep, Jitesh Sharma, Shardul Thakur, B. Sai Sudharsan, and Karun Nair present, Ankit surpassed 150 while Badoni crossed fifty before play was halted on a fruitful day for North Zone.
Brief scores:
North Zone: 405 and 388/2 in 90 overs (Ankit Kumar 168 not out, Yash Dhull 133; Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal 1-37, Riyan Parag 1-63) lead East Zone 230 all out in 56.1 overs (Virat Singh 69; Auqib Nabi 5-28) by 563 runs
Point of View
It is evident that the Duleep Trophy continues to be a platform for emerging talent. The performances of Ankit Kumar and Yash Dhull not only highlight individual skill but also the depth of cricketing talent within the North Zone. This match serves as a testament to the evolving landscape of Indian cricket.
NationPress
30/08/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the North Zone vs East Zone match?
North Zone scored 405 and 388/2, leading East Zone's total of 230 all out by 563 runs.
Who were the key players in this match?
Key players included Ankit Kumar, who scored 168 not out, and Yash Dhull, who contributed 133 runs.
Why was Mukesh Kumar absent from the East Zone team?
Mukesh Kumar was absent due to a potential hamstring strain.
What impact did Ankit and Dhull’s innings have on the match?
Their innings significantly boosted North Zone's position, establishing a dominating lead.
How did the weather affect the match?
The cloudy weather conditions provided no respite for East Zone's bowlers, who struggled throughout the day.
