Is South Zone Still Dominating Despite Khajuria’s Unbeaten Century?
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Synopsis
The Duleep Trophy semi-final heats up as South Zone holds a commanding lead despite Shubham Khajuria’s stellar unbeaten century. Will North Zone manage to turn the tide on the final day? Stay tuned for a thrilling conclusion to this high-stakes matchup.
Key Takeaways
- South Zone leads by 258 runs.
- Shubham Khajuria scored an unbeaten century.
- Nishant Sindhu contributed significantly with 82 runs.
- Gurjapneet Singh took crucial early wickets.
- Final day promises to be thrilling for both teams.
Bengaluru, Sep 6 (NationPress) Despite Shubham Khajuria scoring an impressive unbeaten 128 runs off 245 deliveries, South Zone maintains a commanding position at the end of day three during their 2025/26 Duleep Trophy semi-final at the BCCI COE Ground 1 on Saturday. By stumps, North Zone had reached 278/5, trailing South Zone by 258 runs.
After early breakthroughs from Gurjapneet Singh and MD Nidheesh, North Zone found stability through a vital 171-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Khajuria and Nishant Sindhu, who contributed 82 runs off 148 balls. This partnership ensured that North Zone retained control throughout the second session, which was devoid of any wickets.
However, rain interrupted play in the final session, and upon resumption, South Zone quickly regained momentum by dismissing the well-set Sindhu and executing a run-out of wicketkeeper Kanhaiya Wadhawan. North Zone's hopes of achieving a first-innings lead on the final day now heavily depend on Khajuria and the remaining lower-order batsmen.
In the morning, South Zone made their mark early with pacer Gurjapneet Singh trapping North Zone captain Ankit Kumar lbw in the sixth over. He struck again, clean-bowling Yash Dhull, who had just come off a century in the quarterfinal, for 14 runs.
North Zone regained their footing with Khajuria and Ayush Badoni, who formed a 63-run partnership for the third wicket. Badoni scored 40 runs off 57 deliveries before being trapped lbw by Nidheesh MD in the 27th over.
Khajuria displayed remarkable composure, reaching his half-century off 107 balls shortly after lunch as he and Sindhu navigated the entire second session, staging a comeback for North Zone.
A brief drizzle interrupted play while Khajuria was on 97, but he quickly secured his eighth first-class century upon resuming, reaching the milestone off 204 balls. South Zone eventually broke the partnership when Sindhu was dismissed by Gurjapneet, followed by another wicket through Wadhawan's run-out.
Brief Scores: South Zone 536 in 169.2 overs (N Jagadeesan 197; Nishant Sindhu 5-125) leads North Zone 278/5 in 79 overs (Shubham Khajuria 128 not out, Nishant Sindhu 82; Gurjapneet Singh 3-67, Nidheesh MD 1-67) by 258 runs.
Point of View
I believe this match showcases the resilience of South Zone, even in the face of individual brilliance from players like Khajuria. It's crucial to recognize the collective effort that has led to their current standing, while North Zone must rally together to create an exciting finish.
NationPress
06/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current score of the Duleep Trophy semi-final?
As of now, South Zone has scored 536, and North Zone is at 278/5, trailing by 258 runs.
Who scored the highest runs for North Zone?
Shubham Khajuria is currently the highest scorer for North Zone with an unbeaten 128 runs.
When will the final day of the Duleep Trophy semi-final take place?
The final day of the Duleep Trophy semi-final is scheduled for tomorrow.
What challenges does North Zone face going into the final day?
North Zone needs strong performances from Khajuria and the lower-order batsmen to secure a lead.
How did South Zone establish their lead?
South Zone built a substantial first-innings total of 536, aided by notable contributions from their batsmen.
