South Zone 163/4 in 47.4 Overs | Duleep Trophy Final Live: Mohammed Shami strikes as East Zone leaves South Zone four down

Duleep Trophy Final Live: East Zone moved into a position of overwhelming power in the Duleep Trophy final after a record-breaking batting against South Zone at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Monday. Ishan Kishan and Kumar Kushagra turned the match heavily in East Zone’s favor as they powered their side to 708 before being bowled to the stumps.

Kishan was the centerpiece of the innings, producing a breathtaking 270 off 334 balls. His knock contained 30 fours and seven sixes to become the eighth highest individual score in the history of the Duleep Trophy. The East Zone captain continued from his overnight 111 and wasted little time in attacking the South Zone bowlers.

Kushagra provided perfect support as the pair continued to attack after East resumed at 385/4. South Zone took over with the new ball after just one over, hoping to break the partnership, but neither Siraj nor Nidheesh could strike early. Even the introduction of Vijay and Shreyas Gopal did not change the course of the innings.

Kushagra eventually reached his sixth first-class century, scoring 101 off 132 deliveries with eight fours and five sixes. His fine dismissal shortly before lunch eventually ended the 144-run partnership, but Kishan continued to dominate.

The left-hander reached his double century off 270 balls and then accelerated dramatically. He went past 250 and bowled East Zone for 600, while South Zone resorted to part-timers Devdutt Padikkal and Shaikh Rasheed to contain him.

Kishan left briefly due to fatigue but returned as the wickets began to fall. Shami’s brisk 28 helped East close to the 700-run mark, prompting Kishan to continue his triple-century quest.

Attempting another big shot, caught close to long-on, however, he fell for 270. His dismissal ended hopes of a rare 300, but East Zone had already amassed a massive 708.

The mammoth total leaves South Zone under immense pressure and puts East Zone firmly in the driver’s seat in the hunt for their first Duleep Trophy title in 13 years.