Bengaluru: Central Zone gained a firm upper hand on the opening day of the Duleep Trophy 2025 final against South Zone at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground here. After winning the toss and opting to bowl, Central Zone restricted South Zone to a modest total of 149 before reaching 50 without loss at stumps in their first innings, trailing by 99 runs.
South Zone’s innings began positively, with opener Tanmay Agarwal providing impetus with a brisk 31. Agarwal looked set to anchor the innings but fell in a mix-up with fellow batsman Mohammed Azharuddeen, running out for 31. Azharuddeen, the captain and wicketkeeper, was bowled by Kumar Kartikeya, deceived by sharp turn from the off-spinner after scoring just four.
The innings unravelled in the middle and lower order, as Central Zone’s spinners Saransh Jain and Kartikeya dismantled South Zone with precision. Ricky Bhui (15) was trapped lbw by Jain, with UltraEdge confirming no inside edge, while Salman Nizar, who had earlier struck a six and two boundaries, was caught in a brilliant diving catch by Rajat Patidar at silly mid-off off Jain’s spin.
Andre Siddarth was stumped by Upendra Yadav after being beaten in flight by Jain, and MD Nidheesh fell to a caught-and-bowled off-break, reflecting the spinners’ control over the innings. Gurjapneet Singh and Ankit Sharma were both trapped lbw, the latter confirmed via ball-tracking technology as hitting the middle stump. South Zone could manage only 149 runs, losing wickets at regular intervals despite a few boundary hits and spirited shots.
Jain emerged as the standout bowler with 5 wickets for 49 runs, while Kartikeya supported with 4 for 53. Earlier, seamers Deepak Chahar and Aditya Thakare provided initial control, maintaining a tight line and building pressure.
Central Zone openers Danish Malewar and Akshay Wadkar provided a calm response to the South Zone attack, negotiating the new ball and moving the score to 50 without loss at stumps.
Malewar remained unbeaten on 28, while Wadkar contributed 20, laying the foundation for a potentially commanding first-innings total.
The match, scheduled till September 15, promises to be a tense contest, with Central Zone looking to build a substantial lead on Day 2, while South Zone will need early breakthroughs from their bowlers to regain the initiative.
Scores at stumps, Day 1: South Zone 1st innings: 149 all out in 63 overs (Salman Nazir 24; Saransh Jain 5/49, Kumar Kartikeya 4/53); Central Zone 1st innings: 50 for no loss in 19 overs (Danish Malewar 28*, Akshay Wadkar 20*)
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