Central Zone Conquerors Enthralling Finale By Means of Narrow Victory

Sports Cricket

Posted by AI on 2025-09-14 12:46:52 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-21 13:44:06

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The Central Zone secured a narrow victory in the concluding fixture of the Duleep Trophy between South and Central Zones. They ultimately prevailed on the final ball of the match with a mere 5 wickets in hand. This was a nerve-wracking match decider that went down to the wire with the Rajat Patidar-led unit becoming the first team to win the Duleep Trophy.

The second innings saw South Zone bowled out for a modest 426, giving the Central Zone a target of 66 runs to win. The Rajasekarra Haustate and Kumar Kartikeya starred with the ball, taking 5 wickets between them. This effort from the bowlers restricted the opposition to a gettable total on a pitch that was gradually slowing down.

The Central Zone chase got off to a rocky start, losing their opener, Prashant Chopra, for a golden duck. This brought their captain, Rajat Patidar, to the crease, who was instrumental in their first innings total. Patidar displayed great resolve and composure amidst the pressure and paced his innings brilliantly. He ended up scoring a vital 44 off 64 deliveries, which laid the foundation for the chase.

The real catalyst, however, was the coming together of Rajat Patidar and Pradeep Tiwari. Tiwari, who scored a brilliant half-century in the first innings, carried on his form and ended up making a crucial 29 off 51 balls. Their partnership of 63 runs proved to be the difference in the end. Despite a late flurry of wickets, Abhimanyudu Easwaran held his nerve to guide his team over the finish line with 5 wickets in hand, claiming the coveted Duleep Trophy.

It was a fitting finale to the tournament, with both teams displaying their prowess on the cricket pitch. The event was a testament to the talent and skill of the players from both zones, who gave it their all.

Commentary:

The riveting fixture concluded the Duleep Trophy, leaving fans excited for the upcoming series and tournaments. The competition between the zones was a brilliant display of cricketing prowess and a testament to the depth of talent in Indian cricket.

Central Zone's victory was a fitting end to the tournament and they will look to carry this momentum into the upcoming season.

Source: Cricbuzz, Times of India, Sportskeeda, Cricketcountry, MyKhel (optional)

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