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Key Points

Central Zone built a commanding position in their Duleep Trophy semi-final against West Zone. They finished day three at 556/8, securing a vital 118-run first innings lead. Multiple batters contributed half-centuries including Shubham Sharma's 96 and Upendra Yadav's 87. With this lead, Central Zone can reach the final even if the match ends in a draw.

Key Points: Central Zone Lead West Zone by 118 Runs in Duleep Trophy Semi-Final

  • Shubham Sharma top-scores with 96 falling just short of century
  • Upendra Yadav and Harsh Dubey add crucial 134-run partnership
  • Dharmendrasinh Jadeja takes 4-101 for West Zone bowling attack
  • Central Zone secure 118-run first innings lead with two wickets remaining
2 min read

Duleep Trophy: Central Zone inch closer to final after entering lead against West Zone

Shubham Sharma (96), Upendra Yadav (87) power Central Zone to 556/8, securing 118-run lead over West Zone. Dharmendrasinh Jadeja takes 4 wickets.

"Central Zone now have one foot firmly in the final - Match Report"

Bengaluru, Sep 6

Half-centuries from Shubham Sharma (96), Upendra Yadav (87), Rajat Patidar (77), and Harsh Dubey (75) powered Central Zone to inch closer to the 2025/26 Duleep Trophy final after reaching 556/8 in 157 overs at stumps on day three of their semifinal against West Zone.

At the close of day three’s play at the BCCI CoE Ground 2, Central Zone have secured a first-innings lead of 118 runs, which means they can enter the final on this basis even if the game ends in a draw. Saransh Jain is unbeaten on 37 with Yash Thakur giving him company on four not out.

West Zone tried every option in search of breakthroughs, and even handed the ball to skipper Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal, but the Central Zone batters marched on relentlessly. Though three wickets fell in the first session, Dubey and Yadav blunted the bowling attack with a crucial 134-run stand off 197 balls for the sixth wicket that firmly pushed their side into the lead.

Although none of the batters reached the three-figure mark, Central Zone will be satisfied with their collective effort. For the West Zone, Dharmendrasinh Jadeja returned figures of 4-101, but found little support from the rest of the bowling attack.

Patidar resumed positively in the morning, reaching his fifty off 62 balls before falling to Jadeja to end his 127-run stand with Shubham. The left-arm spinner later removed Yash Rathod for just two, with Ruturaj Gaikwad taking a stunning catch.

Shubham looked solid to get a century, but fell four runs short of it after a mix-up with Yadav. Central Zone, however, continued to build through a counterattacking stand between Upendra and Dubey, who steered Central Zone into the lead.

While Yadav reached his fifty in 84 balls, Dubey brought up his half-century off 62 balls, before Shams Mulani and Jadeja took them out. Brief interruptions due to rain could not halt the Central Zone’s momentum, with even Deepak Chahar chipping in late with attacking strokes to hit 33 off 52 balls. But with a healthy first-innings lead secured, Central Zone now have one foot firmly in the final.

Brief scores:

West Zone 438 all out in 108 overs (Ruturaj Gaikwad 184; Harsh Dubey 3-118) trail Central Zone 556/8 in 157 overs (Shubham Sharma 96, Upendra Yadav 87; Dharmendrasinh Jadeja 4-93, Arzan Nagwaswalla 1-53) by 118 runs

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
That 134-run partnership between Dubey and Yadav was the game-changer! West Zone bowlers looked completely clueless. Dharmendrasinh Jadeja tried his best but no support from others.
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Aman W
Duleep Trophy continues to be the perfect platform for domestic talent. Players like Shubham Sharma and Harsh Dubey are showing they're ready for bigger stages. Selectors should take note!
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Sarah B
Impressive batting display! Though I feel West Zone missed a trick by not having more variety in their bowling attack. When your part-timers like Iyer and Jaiswal have to bowl, it shows the main bowlers weren't effective enough.
V
Vikram M
𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: Central Zone 556/8 - that's some serious batting depth! From top to bottom, everyone contributed. This is why domestic cricket is so important for building bench strength.
K
Karthik V
Heartbreaking for Shubham Sharma to get out on 96, but what an innings! Meanwhile, Ruturaj's catch must have been spectacular - wish we had highlights. Duleep Trophy deserves more coverage!

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