Duleep Trophy Live, East vs South Final Day 5: East Zone leads by 584 and heads for the crown

WE’RE BACK ON DAY 5!

No overnight declaration from the eastern zone, so the start of the final day is no surprise. They will bat with a lead of 584 runs and look to stretch the already tough task of the south zone even further before handing the ball back to their bowlers.

The South Zone, meanwhile, has little room for error. They need early wickets, and lots of them, if they are to claw their way back into a match that has largely run away after East Zone’s mammoth first innings 708 and South Zone’s 336 all out.

Chama Milind has the new ball for South Zone, with East Zone continuing their second innings 212/5. Kumar Kushagra and Md Kounain Quraishi will look to continue the unbeaten stand that saw East Zone safely through the closing stages on Day 4.

The equation is simple, but brutal for the southern zone: they need to overcome the eastern zone quickly and then survive a huge chase. East Zone, on the other hand, can dictate the pace of the final day and have the first innings firmly in their favour.

Current Score: East Zone (212/5 in 51 overs) vs South Zone (336), East Zone lead by 584 runs in Chennai