Duleep Trophy final: Shami, Mukesh put East Zone 466 ahead of South
Synopsis
East Zone are on the verge of a Duleep Trophy final victory after reducing South Zone to 242/6 — a deficit of 466 runs — on Day 3 in Chennai. Shami and Mukesh Kumar's disciplined seam bowling, combined with South's chronic shot selection failures, have left Tilak Varma's side needing a near-miraculous recovery to survive Day 4.
Key Takeaways
Mohammed Shami and Mukesh Kumar each took 2 wickets to leave South Zone at 242/6 at stumps on Day 3 .
East Zone lead by 466 runs after posting 708 in their first innings, anchored by Ishan Kishan's 270 and Kumar Kushagra's 101 .
Devdutt Padikkal (62) and Tilak Varma (56*) were South Zone's top scorers; Varma remains unbeaten.
Shami was reportedly troubled by a neck issue after lunch, limiting his bowling spells.
South Zone added only 62 runs in the final session, highlighting East Zone's complete control.
Md Kounain Quraishi also chipped in, dismissing Shreyas Gopal caught and bowled.
Mohammed Shami and Mukesh Kumar combined to dismantle South Zone's batting lineup on Day 3 of the Duleep Trophy final at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on 8 September, leaving East Zone in commanding control with a 466-run first-innings lead. South Zone, captained by Tilak Varma, were restricted to 242/6 at stumps, with only Varma's unbeaten 56 offering any flicker of resistance.
Key Bowling Performances
Mohammed Shami and Mukesh Kumar each claimed two wickets, proving decisive on a surface that offered reverse swing to the East seamers even with the older ball. Shami, operating in short spells, dismissed Shaik Rasheed to register his first wicket of the innings before adding the prized scalp of Smaran Ravichandran — the highest Ranji Trophy scorer from the previous season — after a DRS referral confirmed the edge. The veteran pacer was, however, reportedly troubled by a neck issue shortly after lunch, which limited his workload. Md Kounain Quraishi also contributed, taking Shreyas Gopal caught and bowled in the final session.
South Zone Batting Collapse
South Zone's innings was defined by poor shot selection and missed opportunities. Ricky Bhui was the first to depart, edging behind to stand-in wicketkeeper Kumar Kushagra; the dismissal came only after East Zone vice-captain Vaibhav Sooryavanshi successfully challenged the on-field not-out decision via DRS. Narayan Jagadeesan fell to a loose slice off Shikhar Mohan to point, and South went to lunch at 115/2. Devdutt Padikkal made a composed 62 before holing out to deep square leg off Mukesh Kumar, while Tilak Varma remains the sole South batter who can be credited with genuine application.
East Zone's Dominant First Innings
East Zone's towering total of 708 in 163 overs set the platform for this commanding position. Ishan Kishan's extraordinary 270 and Kumar Kushagra's century of 101 were the centrepieces of that innings. South Zone's bowlers, led by Tripurana Vijay who took 4 for 180, toiled without adequate support. Notably, the 466-run deficit South now face is one of the largest in a Duleep Trophy final in recent memory, making a comeback statistically improbable.
Day's Play and Momentum
East Zone kept the pressure relentless across all three sessions. The final session saw South add only 62 runs, underlining how effectively the East bowlers maintained their stranglehold. Sooryavanshi briefly assumed the captain's armband when Ishan Kishan left the field, managing the bowling attack astutely. With Tilak Varma unbeaten and four wickets still in hand, South will need a historic rearguard effort on Day 4 to avoid an innings defeat.
Point of View
But the decision-making has been poor throughout. A 466-run deficit is not merely a batting challenge; it is a psychological one, and with Shami still available despite his neck concern, Day 4 looks likely to be a formality rather than a contest.
NationPress
9 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current match situation in the Duleep Trophy final?
After Day 3 in Chennai, East Zone lead South Zone by 466 runs. East Zone scored 708 in their first innings, while South Zone are 242/6 in reply, with Tilak Varma unbeaten on 56.
How did Mohammed Shami perform in the Duleep Trophy final?
Mohammed Shami took 2 wickets for 17 runs, dismissing Shaik Rasheed and Smaran Ravichandran. He bowled in short spells and was reportedly troubled by a neck issue after lunch on Day 3.
Who scored the most runs for South Zone in their first innings?
Devdutt Padikkal top-scored with 62 before holing out to Mukesh Kumar. Captain Tilak Varma remained unbeaten on 56 at stumps and is South Zone's best hope of mounting a comeback.
What was Ishan Kishan's contribution to East Zone's total?
Ishan Kishan scored a remarkable 270, which was the cornerstone of East Zone's massive first-innings total of 708 in 163 overs. Kumar Kushagra also contributed with a century of 101.
Can South Zone still win the Duleep Trophy final?
South Zone face an extremely difficult task, needing to overcome a 466-run first-innings deficit with only 4 wickets remaining. An improbable rearguard effort on Day 4 would be required to avoid an innings defeat.
