Duleep Trophy: CZone pip WZone to enter final clash
What's the story
Central Zone have secured a spot in the final of the 2025 Duleep Trophy. The team went past West Zone on the basis of the first-innings lead in the semi-final match at Bengaluru. CZONE posted a massive 600/10 in response to West Zone's first innings score of 438/10. The game ended on Day 4. Here are the key stats.
Summary
How did the game pan out?
Ruturaj Gaikwad's 184 headlined Day 1 of the game as WZONE posted 438/10 batting first. In response, CZONE were powered by as many as six fifties to end at 600/10. Shubham Sharma (96) and Upendra Yadav (87) were the top scorers. Dharmendrasinh Jadeja dismissed four batters. The game concluded with WZONE's second innings scorecard reading 216/8. Yashasvi Jaiswal made a fifty.
Gaikwad
Eighth First-Class ton for Gaikwad
Gaikwad made a 206-ball 184 in the first innings (25 fours and 1 six). The star batter completed his eighth century in First-Class cricket. He also has 14 half-centuries to his name. In 39 red-ball encounters, the Indian batter has raced to 2,832 runs at an average of over 41. Notably, Gaikwad is yet to make his Test debut.
Thakur
17th fifty in FC cricket for Thakur
WZONE skipper Shardul Thakur smashed seven fours and a six during his 98-ball 64 in the first innings. The all-rounder has raced to 2,688 runs in First-Class cricket at an average close to 21, as per ESPNcricinfo. This was his 17th fifty in FC cricket (100s: 2). He also boasts 302 wickets in the format, having gone wicket-less in the game.
Kotian
Fifty for Kotian as well
WZONE's first innings also saw Tanush Kotian score his 17th half-century in the format. He made 76 off 166 balls before scoring a 72-ball 40* on Day 4. The all-rounder, who went past 2,00 FC runs, averages over 43-plus. Kotian also owns two FC hundreds. Though the spinner has also tallied 114 FC wickets.
Malewar
Another fine knock from Malewar
Central Zone opener Danish Malewar made 76 off 136 balls with the help of 12 fours and a maximum. Notably, the young opener scripted a memorable double-hundred in the quarter-final clash against East Zone. Playing his 11th First-Class game, Malewar has raced to 1,077 runs at an average of 58-plus. His tally includes three centuries and seven half-centuries.
Shubham
Yet another 90-plus score from Shubham
CZONE's Shubham Sharma's 96 came off 241 balls as he slammed 11 fours. Notably, he smashed 122 in the third innings of the quarter-final clash against North East Zone. The Madhya Pradesh batter overall recorded his 24th First-Class fifty (100s: 12). As per ESPNcricinfo, playing his 68th FC match, Shubham has raced to 4,397 runs at an average of 43-plus.
Patidar
Third consecutive score of 50-plus for Patidar
Rajat Patidar's 77 saw him consume 84 balls. He smashed 14 fours during his stay. As mentioned above, Patidar has raced past 5,000 First-Class runs (now 5,006) from 70 matches at an average of 43-plus. He now owns 14 tons and 26 half-centuries. This was his third successive 50-plus score as he made 125 and 66 in the quarter-final clash.
Dubey
75 for Harsh Dubey
CZONE all-rounder Harsh Dubey scored a fine 75 off 93 balls, having smashed 13 fours. This was his eighth FC fifty, which has taken his tally to 820 runs from 21 games at an average of 24-plus. Having scalped 3/118 in the first innings, the pacer was also the pick of the CZONE bowlers.
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Upendra made 87 runs
Like Shubham, Upendra also missed out on a hundred, having smoked 87 off 181 balls (8 fours, 2 sixes). This knock took him past 2,500 runs (now 2,571) at an average of 41-plus. This was his 13th fifty as he also owns seven tons.
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Fifty for Saransh as well
Saransh Jain was CZONE's only other half-centurion, having made an unbeaten 63 off 108 balls (4 fours, 3 sixes). The all-rounder now owns 1,518 runs at an average of 25-plus. This was his ninth fifty (100: 1).
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Four-fer for Dharmendrasinh Jadeja
Spinner Dharmendrasinh Jadeja was the pick of the bowlers for WZONE, claiming 4/130 from 45 overs. This spell has taken his tally to 398 wickets from 94 FC matches at 26-plus.