Duleep Trophy: Sindhu, Kamboj rescue North Zone after South bowlers trigger collapse
Synopsis
North Zone's middle order caved from 175/2 to 209/7 as Shreyas Gopal and MD Nidheesh shared four wickets in a devastating spell — but Nishant Sindhu and Anshul Kamboj's unbroken 47-run stand has kept North alive heading into the final day of this Duleep Trophy semifinal, with a 139-run lead and everything still to play for.
Key Takeaways
North Zone closed Day 3 at 256/7 in 66 overs , leading South Zone by 139 runs in the Duleep Trophy second semifinal in Bengaluru .
Nishant Sindhu and Anshul Kamboj put on an unbeaten 47-run eighth-wicket stand to arrest a dramatic collapse from 175/2 to 209/7 .
Sanat Sangwan top-scored with 76 and Ayush Doseja contributed 52 , sharing a 104-run second-wicket stand .
Shreyas Gopal and MD Nidheesh triggered the collapse with two wickets each ; Vidhwath Kaverappa also struck.
Tilak Varma remained unbeaten on 116 as South Zone posted 312 ; Gurnoor Brar took 4 for 88 for North.
All-rounders Nishant Sindhu and Anshul Kamboj steadied North Zone with an unbeaten 47-run eighth-wicket stand on Day 3 of the Duleep Trophy second semifinal at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 2 in Bengaluru on 1 September, preventing a complete collapse after South Zone bowlers ripped through the middle order. North Zone, who closed at 256/7 in 66 overs, now lead South Zone's 312 by 139 runs heading into the fourth and final day.
How the Collapse Unfolded
North Zone had looked in command at 175/2, with opener Sanat Sangwan anchoring the innings on 76 and Ayush Doseja contributing a brisk 52 — the two sharing a 104-run second-wicket partnership. Ayush Badoni added a handy 32 to suggest North were building a decisive lead.
The momentum shifted dramatically when medium-pacer Vidhwath Kaverappa had Badoni caught behind, triggering a cascade. Leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal and medium-pacer MD Nidheesh then shared the next four wickets — two apiece — to reduce North from 175/2 to a precarious 209/7. Gopal trapped Abdul Samad lbw, while Nidheesh ended Sangwan's resolute knock and later dismissed captain Kanhaiya Wadhawa. Gopal rounded off the damage by removing Abid Mushtaq.
Sindhu and Kamboj Arrest the Slide
With North's lead shrunk to a slender 92 runs at 209/7, spin all-rounder Sindhu and fast-bowling all-rounder Kamboj combined to frustrate South's attack. Their unbroken 47-run stand has pushed the lead to 139, and the pair will look to bat North close to a 200-run advantage on Day 4 — the minimum typically considered competitive on this surface.
South Zone's First-Innings Highlights
The day began with South Zone resuming at 285/9, and skipper Tilak Varma — already past his century — and Kavuri Saiteja added 27 more runs before Abid Mushtaq cleaned up Saiteja for 13. Tilak remained unbeaten on a commanding 116 as South were bowled out for 312 in 100.3 overs. Gurnoor Brar was the pick of the North Zone attack with 4 for 88, while Arshdeep Singh and Kamboj took two wickets each.
In North's first innings, South had dismissed them for 195, with Kaverappa claiming a four-wicket haul. Nidheesh and Tanay Thyagarajan took two each, while Saiteja and Gopal chipped in with one apiece.
What Day 4 Holds
North Zone will resume with Sindhu and Kamboj at the crease, needing to bat as long as possible to set South a target that makes a fourth-innings chase difficult. South's bowling attack — led by Gopal and Nidheesh — will be eager to wrap up the tail quickly and keep the game within reach. The result of this semifinal will determine which team advances to the Duleep Trophy final.
Point of View
The middle order buckles under pressure bowling. The collapse from 175/2 to 209/7 is not a one-off — it reflects a structural over-reliance on the top order that South's spinners and seamers have consistently exploited in domestic cricket. Sindhu and Kamboj's rescue act is admirable, but a 139-run lead on Day 4 is thin. The real question is whether North can manufacture another 60-odd runs before South smell a chase — and whether their bowling attack, led by Arshdeep and Brar, can defend whatever target they set.
NationPress
1 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current match situation in the Duleep Trophy second semifinal?
North Zone closed Day 3 at 256/7, leading South Zone by 139 runs. North will resume on Day 4 with Nishant Sindhu and Anshul Kamboj at the crease, aiming to extend their lead before setting South a target.
How did North Zone's collapse happen on Day 3?
North Zone slid from 175/2 to 209/7 as Shreyas Gopal and MD Nidheesh each took two wickets in quick succession. Vidhwath Kaverappa had earlier dismissed Ayush Badoni to trigger the slide.
Who top-scored for South Zone in their first innings?
Tilak Varma top-scored with an unbeaten 116, while Shreyas Gopal contributed 88. South Zone were bowled out for 312 in 100.3 overs, with Gurnoor Brar taking 4 for 88 for North Zone.
What do North Zone need to do on Day 4 to win?
North Zone need to bat as long as possible to push their lead beyond 200 runs, which would give their bowlers a realistic target to defend. Sindhu and Kamboj will look to extend their unbeaten stand before the tail is dismissed.
Who are the key bowlers in this Duleep Trophy semifinal?
South Zone's Vidhwath Kaverappa took a four-wicket haul in North's first innings, while Shreyas Gopal and MD Nidheesh have been destructive in the second. For North, Gurnoor Brar claimed 4 for 88, with Arshdeep Singh and Anshul Kamboj taking two wickets each.
