Image: South Zone scored 426 in second innings on Day 4 / © ESPNcricinfo
Day 4 of the Duleep Trophy final between South Zone and Central Zone at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground in Bengaluru on September 14, 2025, unfolded as a gripping chapter in a match that had already delivered drama and resilience. South Zone, starting their second innings at 129 for 2 after 33 overs, trailing by 233 runs, showcased a remarkable fightback to end the day at 426 all out, setting Central Zone a target of 65 runs to clinch the title. As stumps were drawn, the stage was set for a thrilling final day, with Central Zone needing just 65 runs but facing a wearing pitch and a spirited South Zone bowling unit.
As the sun rose over Bengaluru, South Zone resumed their second innings with Ravichandran Smaran (37) and Ricky Bhui (26) at the crease, aiming to chip away at Central Zone’s imposing 362-run lead, built on their first innings total of 511. South Zone had been bowled out for a modest 149 in their first innings, and their hopes of setting a competitive target rested on this pair.
Smaran and Bhui started cautiously, respecting the good deliveries while capitalizing on anything loose. Bhui, the more aggressive of the two, drove confidently through the covers, adding a couple of boundaries to keep the scoreboard ticking. The pair pushed South Zone past 150 in the 39.2nd over, with extras contributing 4 runs. Their partnership grew steadily, frustrating Central Zone’s fielders and forcing captain Rajat Patidar to shuffle his bowlers. However, the breakthrough came in the 42.1st over when Bhui, who had looked solid mixing defense with flair, fell for 45 off 85 balls (4 fours, 2 sixes). Attempting to drive a full delivery from Chahar, he edged it to Shubham Sharma at slip, ending an 85-run stand for the third wicket. Bhui’s two sixes, lofted with ease over midwicket, had been a highlight, but his departure at 161 for 3 handed Central Zone a vital wicket.
Smaran, undeterred, reached his fifty off 70 balls (6 fours, 1 six), a composed knock full of patience on a track where the ball occasionally kept low. Skipper Mohammed Azharuddeen joined him at number 5, who showed immediate intent, attacking loose deliveries. By the drinks break at 50 overs, South Zone were 186 for 3, with Smaran on 51 and Azharuddeen on 19. The lead was slowly being eroded, but Central Zone still held the upper hand with their spinners starting to find their rhythm.
South Zone crossed 200 in the 52.3rd over, with extras now at 7. Azharuddeen, in fine touch, smashed 2 fours and a six in his 27 off 40 balls, but his innings ended abruptly in the 53.5th over. Attempting to clear mid-on off Kartikeya’s left-arm spin, he failed to get enough elevation, and Kuldeep Sen took a simple catch. It was a soft dismissal, halting South Zone’s momentum at 204 for 4. Salman Nizar came in next but lasted only 17 balls, scoring 12 (2 fours) before edging Kartikeya to Rajat Patidar at slip in the 58.5th over. Smaran followed soon after in the 60.3rd over, caught by Yash Rathod off Kartikeya for 67 off 118 balls (7 fours, 1 six). Smaran’s vigil, anchoring the innings superbly, ended with South Zone at 222 for 6, still trailing but with C Andre Siddarth and Ankit Sharma at the crease.
Lunch was called at 249 for 6 after 68 overs, with Siddarth on 11 and Sharma on 13. The session had belonged to Central Zone’s spinners, who had claimed three key wickets to stem South Zone’s progress. Kartikeya, in particular, was proving a handful, his variations troubling the batters. Post-lunch, South Zone crossed 250 in the 68.3rd over, with extras at 10. The seventh-wicket partnership between Siddarth and Sharma began to blossom, reaching 50 runs in 82 balls (Siddarth 19, Sharma 24, extras 8). The duo rotated the strike well, frustrating Central Zone’s tiring bowlers. The new ball, taken at 80.1 overs, didn’t yield immediate results, as Siddarth and Sharma continued their gritty stand.
By the drinks break in the afternoon at 81 overs, South Zone were 296 for 6, with Siddarth on 24 and Sharma on 41. The score ticked past 300 in the 84.1st over, with extras at 16. Sharma reached his fifty off 84 balls (6 fours, 1 six), a timely knock from the allrounder that showcased both aggression and control. The partnership swelled to 100 runs in 169 balls (Siddarth 37, Sharma 47, extras 16), a resilient effort that shifted the momentum slightly toward South Zone. Tea was taken at 335 for 6 after 91 overs, with Siddarth on 39 and Sharma on 58. The session had seen South Zone add over 80 runs without losing a wicket, a testament to the pair’s determination.
Post-tea, South Zone’s fightback continued. They reached 350 in the 94.3rd over, with extras at 24. Siddarth brought up his fifty off 110 balls (4 fours), a patient effort that stabilized the innings. The seventh-wicket stand grew to 150 runs in 246 balls (Siddarth 58, Sharma 76, extras 17), showcasing remarkable resilience. At the evening drinks break at 108 overs, South Zone were 396 for 6, with Siddarth on 66 and Sharma on 91, tantalizingly close to a century. The 400-run mark was crossed in the 110.3rd over, with extras at 25.
The breakthrough finally came in the 115.3rd over when Sharma, on 99 off 168 balls (13 fours, 1 six), fell agonizingly short of a century. Facing a slower, tossed-up delivery from Kartikeya, he went for a lofted shot with one hand off the handle, but miscued it to midwicket, where Patidar took a simple catch. The 192-run partnership with Siddarth had lifted South Zone from a precarious 222 for 6 to 414 for 7, a game-changing effort. Gurjapneet Singh came and went quickly, caught by Danish Malewar off Jain for 3 off 6 balls in the 116.5th over.
MD Nidheesh was run out for 0 in the 118.6th over, a mix-up with Siddarth leading to a direct hit from Patidar. Vasuki Koushik, the last man, survived a review in the 120.5th over as Central Zone challenged for a wicket, but it was the umpire’s call, struck down. However, Koushik was stumped by Upendra Yadav off Jain for 0 off 6 balls in the 120.6th over, ending South Zone’s innings at 426 after 121 overs. Siddarth remained unbeaten on 84 off 190 balls (7 fours), a heroic knock that ensured South Zone set a target. Extras totaled 25 (2 byes, 7 leg byes, 8 no balls, 8 wides). Kartikeya was the star for Central Zone with 4 for 110 in 39 overs, while Jain took 3 for 130 in 42 overs. Chahar (1 for 74) and Sen (1 for 60) chipped in, but Thakare and Sharma remained wicketless.
South Zone’s second innings total of 426, added to their first innings 149, gave them a lead of 64 runs. It was a remarkable recovery from 129 for 2 overnight, driven by the Siddarth-Sharma partnership. Central Zone now faces a chase of 65 runs on day five, a seemingly straightforward target but one that could prove tricky on a wearing pitch. South Zone’s bowlers, including Gurjapneet Singh (4 wickets in the first innings) and Ankit Sharma (also 4), will be eager to exploit any nerves in the chase.
Siddarth’s unbeaten 84 was the highlight, a gritty knock where he left well and drove when possible. Sharma’s 99 was equally vital, his 13 fours piercing the field with precision. Earlier, Smaran’s 67 laid the foundation, while Bhui’s 45 and Azharuddeen’s 27 added spark. For Central Zone, Yash Rathod’s 194, Patidar’s 101, and Jain’s 69 in their first innings keep them as favorites, but the pressure of a chase could test their resolve.
Ankit Sharma’s gritty 99 stole the spotlight in South Zone’s second innings, earning the TCNI Magic Moment of the Game, though it ended in heartbreak. Walking in at 222 for 6, Sharma delivered a masterclass, scoring 99 off 168 balls with 13 fours and a six. His 192-run partnership with Siddarth was a game-changer, lifting South Zone to 426.
The moment turned bittersweet in the 115.3rd over when, chasing a century, Sharma miscued a lofted shot off Kartikeya to midwicket, where Patidar took the catch. Despite the disappointment, his 58.92 strike-rate innings were pivotal in setting a target.
Saransh Jain emerged as the TCNI Hero of the Day with a stellar bowling performance. The off-spinner bowled 42 overs, including 8 maidens, taking 3 wickets for 130 runs at an economy of 3.09.
Jain dismissed Mohit Kale (38), Gurjapneet Singh (3), and Vasuki Koushik (0), playing a key role in restricting South Zone to 426. His endurance and control on a batting-friendly pitch, alongside Kartikeya’s four wickets, kept Central Zone in the game, making him the standout performer.