Ishan Kishan advances in Duleep Trophy final, hits double hundred and derails South Zone

East zone captain Ishan Kishan has stepped up at the right time in the Duleep Trophy. Playing in the final against South Zone Tilak Varma, Kishan hit a measured double hundred to put his team firmly in control on Monday, September 7.

The left-hander picked things up from 111* on the morning of Day 2 and played the ball to his credit, bringing up his double hundred in 270 balls at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Duleep Trophy Final: Day 2 Live Updates

Kishan’s marathon knock came on a flat Chepauk surface where a first-innings lead could prove decisive in deciding the winner. The East Zone captain first forged a big partnership with youngster Kumar Kushagra before combining with Anukul Roy to take his team over 500 runs in the second over on Day 2.

EAST ZONE GO 500 RUNS

Kishan knocked for maturity and composure. The left-hander has enjoyed a sensational resurgence of form in domestic cricket over the past few years and it was on display again on Monday as he repeatedly found gaps and refused to give the South Zone an opening.

Kishan hit 25 fours and two sixes en route to his double century, with his milestone coming in the 122nd over of the match as East Zone reached 550/5.

The Chepauk track has been a batsman’s paradise so far, with most of the batsmen starting. Apart from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (44) and Sudip Gharami (6), every batsman from the East Zone has at least a fifty, their role in the mammoth total.

South zone captain Tilak Varma struggled to find a way to stem the flow of runs. His defensive fields allowed the East Zone batsmen to run down the ground, with the South Zone seemingly unwilling to take any chances after the top order put them under pressure on the opening day.

Kishan in particular made the most of the freedom offered to him. The left-hander repeatedly used the stroke to find the boundary, with 11 of his 25 fours coming through this stroke.

He eventually brought up his double hundred with a square cut and joined the elite list of batsmen to reach the milestone in the Duleep Trophy.

SHAMI, MUKESH WAITING

East zone is now expected to push for a total in the range of 600-650 before they announce their innings and put south zone under pressure.

The Ishan Kishan-led side is also in for a formidable bowling attack when it’s their turn, with Mohammed Shami and Mukesh Kumar expected to lead the charge when the South Zone finally begin their first innings.

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Issued by:

Kingshuk Kusari

Published on:

07 Sep 2026 13:45 IST