Duleep Trophy: Ishan Kishan’s 80 Puts East Zone On Brink Of Victory Against South Zone

East Zone moved closer to a dominant victory after captain Ishan Kishan and Shikhar Mohan delivered composed batting performances against South Zone on the fourth day of the Duleep Trophy final at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

Kishan produced an attacking 80 from 98 balls, striking nine boundaries and three sixes during his innings. His latest contribution took his match aggregate to 350 runs, although he missed the opportunity to register another century.

Mohan, meanwhile, provided stability with a patient 52 from 85 deliveries. Their contributions allowed East Zone to strengthen an already commanding position.

South Zone resumed their innings and managed to add 94 runs to their overnight score before East Zone completed the innings.

Tilak Varma began proceedings positively by striking two successive boundaries against Mohammed Shami. CV Milind also offered resistance and found the boundary against Mukesh Kumar.

East Zone eventually broke through when Mohan dismissed Milind for 43, bringing a 78-run partnership to an end. Tripurana Vijay subsequently ran himself out, while Mukesh Kumar removed Mohammed Siraj lbw.

Varma remained South Zone’s biggest contributor but suffered a painful dismissal on 99. He returned a catch to Md Kounain Quraishi and missed what would have been his ninth first-class century by just one run.

South Zone were eventually dismissed for 336, leaving East Zone with a substantial 372-run first-innings advantage.

East Zone decided against enforcing the follow-on but lost both openers cheaply. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi departed for eight after Vijay stumped him, while Abhimanyu Easwaran edged Siraj to first slip.

Kishan and Mohan then rebuilt the innings with a 126-run partnership from 170 deliveries.

Kishan accelerated after reaching his half-century and launched a powerful assault against Vijay. He collected 20 runs from one over, hitting two fours and two sixes.

East Zone finished on 212/5, taking their overall advantage to 584 runs and placing themselves in a commanding position to claim the Duleep Trophy.

Also Read: Ishan Kishan Enters Duleep Trophy Record Books With 250-Run Masterclass