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South Zone vs East Zone Final Full Commentary
Result · Sep 06 2026, Sun - 09:30 AM (IST)
EZ 708/10, 388/7 (99.2)
SZ 336/10 (107.3)
East Zone drew with South Zone (East Zone won by 1st innings lead)
CRR:3.91
Player Of The Match
Player Of The Series
All set for Day 3 to get underway in Chennai. It's very warm and humid out there with the sun shining brightly. The umpires and players punctually make their way to the middle, and the players of East Zone take their respective fielding positions. And right after them, the openers of South Zone - Ricky Bhui and Narayan Jagadeesan - make their way to the crease. The new ball has been given to Mohammad Shami and there are three slips and a gully in place, with Bhui taking the strike. Here we go...
PITCH REPORT - WV Raman and Chetan Sharma are in the middle, inspecting Day 3 conditions at Chepauk. Chetan says there couldn't be a better batting wicket than this. Also mentions that there are no signs of deterioration on the surface, even on the third day. When asked by Raman whether any uneven bounce might creep in as the match progresses, Chetan confirms that it will, hinting at a shift in conditions as the pitch wears further. His advice for South Zone is simple, to stay patient and look to bat long. Raman sums it up neatly in response, calling it a proper buffet out there for the batters.
In conversation with Kumar Kushagra - Kushagra reflects on the significance of his innings, calling it his maiden Duleep Trophy century and noting the timing could not have been better, arriving as East Zone reach the final after a long wait. Helping the side to 700, he says, is a genuinely good feeling, and he credits the good batting surface along with the team's overall execution. He also opens up on the personal stakes. Says having enjoyed a strong season last year, he was keen to carry that momentum forward, and he hopes to keep the performances coming through the games ahead. On his crucial stand with Ishan Kishan, he explains how South Zone had come armed with clear plans, particularly around the short ball, which the pair had to negotiate carefully. Adds that the partnership worked well because Kishan took the aggressive route against the spinners from one end while he did the same from the other, hitting them for sixes, a combination he felt served the team nicely. He admits there is a certain joy in batting alongside a current India player, watching him handle the bowling with such ease, and that it only added to his own motivation to contribute meaningfully from the other end. When he is asked specifically about targeting the off spinner, he says he did not initially feel confident going after the leg spinner, but the off spinner felt like an easier matchup, one he could take on even with a fielder posted back on the boundary. On the 700-run total and how the team plans to approach the rest of the match, he calls it a strong score and hopes the bowlers can back it up. Points to the confidence gained from their strong win in the previous match as something the side can carry forward into this one.
South Zone seek a response - South Zone, meanwhile, need a strong response after spending the first two days in the field. Their bowling attack has had to endure a long, demanding innings, but they will now have an opportunity to reset and make their mark with the bat. Having reached the final after a convincing semi-final win over North Zone, South Zone know they have the quality and experience to fight their way back, with the likes of Devdutt Padikkal and Tilak Varma among those expected to play important roles.
East Zone hold the edge - East Zone have enjoyed a superb campaign and have carried that momentum into the final, putting together a batting effort that has given them a huge advantage. Skipper Ishan Kishan has been at the heart of it with a remarkable 270, while Kumar Kushagra's 101 and useful contributions elsewhere have helped them build an imposing total. Their challenge now is to translate that batting dominance into pressure with the ball and keep South Zone on the back foot.
Moving Day beckons - Welcome to Day 3 of the Duleep Trophy 2026 final at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, with East Zone firmly in control after the opening two days. They have posted a mammoth 708 in their first innings, leaving South Zone with a mountain to climb when they begin their reply. With three days still remaining, there is plenty of cricket left, but the onus is now firmly on South Zone to find a way back into the contest.
... DAY 3, SESSION 1 ...
The evening defiance - South Zone hoped to run through the lower order in the final session, but Md Kounain Quraishi and Mohammad Shami had other plans. The two tailenders showed remarkable defiance and survived the entire first hour to push the scoreboard. When the partnership was broken, Kishan came back out and notched up 270 before getting out. Tripurana Vijay ended up with a four-fer as South Zone managed to bole out East Zone on the final ball of the day. Day 3 is scheduled to start on Tuesday, September 8 at 4 am GMT (9.30 am IST), but you can join us sooner for the build-up as well. Cheers!
Kishan’s historic knock - The post-lunch session brought even more misery for South Zone as Kishan and Anukul Roy milked the bowling with ease. The East Zone captain reached a sensational double hundred, becoming only the second captain to score a double century in a Duleep Trophy final, and showed no signs of slowing down as he raced to 250 off 300 balls. The harsh Chennai heat eventually forced the exhausted skipper to retire hurt, bringing some temporary respite for the bowling side. Anukul chipped in with a valuable 45 before being trapped leg-before on the final ball of the afternoon, leaving East Zone in a commanding position at 626/6 at the tea break.
The morning domination - Day 2 began with East Zone resuming on 385/4, and the opening session quickly turned into a masterclass from Ishan Kishan and Kumar Kushagra. South Zone took the second new ball early on, but their bowlers could find neither rhythm nor answers on a flat track. Kushagra played with absolute freedom to bring up a cracking hundred off just 128 deliveries, putting together a mammoth 230-run stand before finally falling for 101. Kishan remained totally unfazed at the other end, cruising past his 150 with authority. By the time the umpires called lunch, East Zone were cruising comfortably at 491/5, with Kishan unbeaten on 171 and South Zone searching for answers.
11.35 am GMT (5.05 pm IST) - STUMPS, DAY 2 - A pretty fascinating end to Day 2 of this Duleep Trophy Final and South Zone have finally managed to bowl East Zone out, but not before Ishan Kishan and his troops have put on a staggering first-innings total of 708 on the board. South Zone will be a bit pleased that they don't have to bat now after a long day in the field, and they can start fresh tomorrow morning.
OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Mukesh Kumar falls for a duck after a couple of reprieves. That brings an end to East Zone's colossal innings at 708. Tossed it up full and right in line with off stump. Mukesh leans on to go over the top with a powerful straight drive, but only drills it straight back down the deck. Vijay reacts in a flash. He leaps on and takes a one-handed grab with his right hand to wrap up the innings.
Another loud appeal but the finger stays down! Fullish, turning in, Mukesh Kumar looks to block it but misses and wears it on his pads again. Another loud appeal turned down. They refer. Nothing on Ultra Edge and Ball Tracking shows that the ball was missing the leg pole. The original decision of NOT OUT stays.
Flatter, on leg, Mukesh Kumar flicks it to square leg.
Is that out? Loopy, outside off, turning in. Mukesh Kumar leans on and looks to block it but gets beaten as the ball hits his pads. A loud appeal, but turned down. They opt for a review. Nothing on Ultra Edge and Ball Tracking shows that the impact was on the umpire's call, even though the wickets were hitting. The onfield decision of NOT OUT stands.
Mukesh Kumar is the new batter.
OUT! TAKEN! A mammoth innings from Ishan Kishan comes to an end. Floated up, on a fuller length around leg stump, tempting the batter out of his crease. Kishan charges down to launch it over the straight boundary, but he fails to get underneath it cleanly. The ball skies off the toe of the bat toward long on, where Ravichandran Smaran runs to his right near the rope and pouches it safely. Ishan Kishan falls for 270.
Short and wide, Ishan Kishan slaps it through cover. He doesn't take a single.
Loopy, on off, Abhijit Sarkar flicks it to mid-wicket.
Short, on off, Ishan Kishan tucks it to mid-wicket for a single.
Flatter, outside off, Ishan Kishan drills it to long off.
Drops it short, on off, Ishan Kishan slaps it to deep cover.
Quicker, on off, Ishan Kishan blocks it to mid on.
FOUR! That is hit with some power! Flighted up, on off, Ishan Kishan moves forward and drills it powerfully down the ground for a boundary. The fielder dives to his left and tries to stop it but fails to do so.
Shortish, on off, Abhijit Sarkar fends it to point.
Flatter, on leg, Ishan Kishan tucks it to mid-wicket for a single.
Full and straight, Ishan Kishan sweeps it through square leg. Denies for a single again.
Drops it short, on off, Ishan Kishan knocks it to long on. He doesn't take a single.
Fullish, on off, Ishan Kishan blocks it to mid off.
Flatter, on leg, Ishan Kishan looks to block it but miscues it to point.
We are back for the post-Lunch session! East Zone have not enforced the follow-on here and will bat again. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhimanyu Easwaran are the two opening batters for them. Also, Tilak Varma has not taken the field, and in his absence, Ricky Bhui will act as the stand-in skipper for South Zone. Mohammed Siraj will start proceedings with the ball. Here we go...
... DAY 4, SESSION 2 ...
Tilak falls agonisingly short - Tilak Varma kept fighting but ran out of partners and saw his magnificent effort end at 99, missing a century by the narrowest of margins. South Zone's inability to put together substantial partnerships ultimately proved decisive, with only Tilak and Padikkal managing half-centuries. East Zone's bowlers shared the workload superbly, Mukesh Kumar claiming three, Mohammad Shami two, and Md Kounain Qureshi and Shikhar Mohan taking four between them. Their effort is even more commendable given Anukul Roy could not bowl after being injured while batting. The only question now is whether East Zone will enforce the follow-on, though having spent more than 100 overs in the field, they may well opt against it. Join us around 7.10 am GMT (12.40 pm IST) for the next session.
New-ball pressure comes to nothing - East Zone wasted no time in taking the second new ball, and Mohammad Shami and Mukesh Kumar immediately found some movement. However, Chama Milind and Tilak Varma countered the threat well, keeping the scoreboard ticking and taking South Zone safely through to Drinks. Milind led the charge, but the momentum shifted once the spinners came on. The turn began to test the batters, and Shikhar Mohan eventually ended the 78-run stand by removing Milind. Vijay then fell to a costly mix-up, leaving Tilak with the tail for company.
6.34 am GMT (12.04 pm IST) - LUNCH, DAY 4! Heartbreak for Tilak Varma as the South Zone skipper falls agonisingly short of a deserved century on 99, bringing an end to a valiant resistance in the session. South Zone added 94 runs while losing 4 wickets in 27.2 overs, but were eventually bowled, conceding a first-innings lead of 372. Despite Tilak's determined fight, the final remains firmly tilted in East Zone's favour, who are now closing in on the Duleep Trophy after a dominant performance.
OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Tilak Varma falls on 99. South Zone have been bundled out for 336 runs. Md Kounain Qureshi bowls this one full outside off, tempting Tilak Varma into an aggressive lofted stroke straight back down the ground. Varma gets a bit low to power it through the line, but slight deception in flight keeps him from getting the meat of the willow on it. The ball skews high off the toe-end directly back toward Qureshi, who leaps and takes a good catch. East Zone’s players gather around to applaud Tilak as he walks off after a superb knock.
Flighted up, outside off, Tilak Varma cuts it to point.
Short, on off, Tilak Varma punches it to cover.
With the 9th wicket falling, this session has been extended by half an hour or South Zone getting bowled out, whichever happens earlier.
Good length, outside off, MD Nidheesh pushes it to cover.
Hits the deck hard, outside off, MD Nidheesh leaves it alone.
Short, outside off, MD Nidheesh sways away from it.
MD Nidheesh is the last man in.
OUT! LBW! Mukesh Kumar strikes. He comes over the wicket, serves this full and on middle, angling in a bit. Mohammed Siraj gets stuck in his crease and tries to clip it across the line but misses it completely, getting hit on the pads right in front of the stumps. There is a big appeal for LBW, and the finger goes up. Siraj takes the review but more in desperation. UltraEdge confirms no bat involved and Ball Tracking shows three reds, with the ball crashing into the middle stump. The on-field call of Out stands and Siraj takes a review with him. Tilak is stranded on 99 at the other end. South Zone are 336/9, still trailing by 372 runs.
Moves to 99! A low full toss, on the pads, Tilak Varma flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
FOUR! A bit streaky! Back of a length and on off, nips back in a bit. Tilak Varma gets a bit late to punch it away. It catches the bottom edge of the bat and races past the gully fielder for a boundary. He is just two runs away from his hundred.
Quicker one, short and on off, turns in, Mohammed Siraj stays back and keeps it out.
Dragged back, on off, Tilak Varma punches it down to long on for another run. He moves to 94 now.
Flatter, shortish and on middle, keeps low. Tilak Varma does well to get his bat down to keep it out.
Drops it short, on middle, Tilak Varma pats it down towards short mid-wicket.
Tossed up, full and on off, Mohammed Siraj pushes it through covers for a run.
Fullish, on off, Tilak Varma taps it to cover.
Fullish, on leg, Mohammed Siraj blocks it back to the bowler.
Fullish, on off, Tilak Varma taps it to cover for a single.
Wide! A wayward bouncer, outside off, Tilak Varma leaves. Wide called for height.
Bangs it short, on off, Tilak Varma sways away from it.
Good length, outside off, Tilak Varma guides it to backward point. He denies for a single.
Angling in, outside off, Tilak Varma cuts it to cover.
Angling in, on off, Tilak Varma pushes it to cover.
A bit short, on off, Mohammed Siraj blocks it to mid on.
Curtains fall on the Duleep Trophy - And now, the moment we've all been waiting for - Ishan Kishan steps up to collect the Duleep Trophy and is soon joined by his teammates as they lift the silverware together. The entire East Zone squad then gathers behind the 'Champions' banner for a few memorable pictures, bringing the curtain down on a memorable tournament. We hope you've enjoyed our coverage of the Duleep Trophy, but the domestic cricketing action doesn't stop here. Next up is the Irani Trophy 2026/27, with Jammu and Kashmir taking on the Rest of India in Srinagar from October 1 to 5. The action gets underway at 4 am GMT (9.30 am IST), but make sure to join us early for all the build-up. Until then, cheers and goodbye!
The victorious skipper of East Zone - Ishan Kishan says the title was a collective effort, with everyone looking after each other being the most important aspect for him. He feels he had been a good leader but insists the journey does not end here, with the team needing to keep improving across departments and rectify mistakes, particularly in the field. Kishan says he became calmer and more aware of situations after his period away from the Indian team, focusing on understanding what was important, reading the game better and helping his teammates avoid getting into the zone he had experienced. He feels that transformation has made him calmer, hungrier and more determined to perform for the team and help them win. Kishan adds, with a cheeky smile, that his playful side will remain until he turns 90.
The South Zone players are now collecting their runners-up medals, bringing the presentation ceremony into full swing. Up next, it's time for the champions - the East Zone players will come forward to receive their winners' medals and celebrate their hard-earned triumph.
The captain of South Zone - Tilak Varma says they are disappointed with the result but have plenty of learnings from the game. He admits they could have done better on the opening day and says their bowling was not at its best, while giving credit to East Zone's batters for taking the game away after scoring 708. Varma says they tried to bat for three days and give themselves a chance of saving the game, believing they could have potentially scored 700 themselves had they managed to stay out there. However, he accepts that East Zone had totally outplayed them.
Presentation Time...
The finishing touches - With victory already all but assured, East Zone spent the final day simply extending their innings, ensuring the draw, and with it, the title was locked in beyond doubt. Md Kounain Qureshi anchored the effort with an unbeaten 116 off 190 balls, while Anukul Roy chipped in a brisk 64 before falling to MD Nidheesh, the pair adding 150 for the innings' key partnership. With the lead stretched to an insurmountable margin, East Zone eventually called it a day and declared, sealing the draw. A special mention to Mohammed Siraj, who bowled his heart out on the final day without much reward, but it was good to see South Zone bowlers not throwing in the towel till the end.
East Zone tightened the screw - South Zone's resistance ended in the morning session as they folded for 336, Tilak Varma left agonizingly stranded on 99, having battled almost the entire innings alone. East Zone, sensing the kill, came out and batted again with intent - Kishan added a rapid 80 to his first-innings double-century, while Shikhar Mohan chipped in with 52, before ending the day 212/5, a staggering 584 runs ahead and firmly on the cusp of the title.
South Zone fight an uphill battle - With a mountain to chase down, South Zone's reply got off to a rocky start against a relentless East Zone attack led by veteran Mohammad Shami, who exploited reverse swing on a wearing pitch. Devdutt Padikkal, fresh off two Test centuries against Sri Lanka, provided the only real fightback with a well-made 62 before holing out frustratingly. Captain Tilak Varma then took over as the lone bright spot, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten fifty. South Zone closed the day at 242/6, still miles adrift of East Zone's total.
Kishan's double ton powers East to 708 - Ishan Kishan and Kumar Kushagra picked up right where they left off, stitching together a mammoth 230-run stand that buried South Zone's hopes of a quick comeback. Kushagra brought up his maiden Duleep Trophy hundred off 128 balls before falling for 101. Kishan kept going, turning his overnight century into a monumental 270 - the highest individual score by a wicketkeeper-batter in the tournament's history. East Zone were eventually bowled out for a colossal 708 in 163 overs, a total built almost entirely around that pair.
PLAYER OF THE SERIES - The captain of South Zone, Tilak Varma, wins this award. He scored 266 runs in 3 innings, including scores of 99, 116*, and 51*.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Undoubtedly, it goes to the East Zone skipper Ishan Kishan for his magnificent knocks of 270 off 334 and 80 off 98 in this final.
A solid start at Chepauk - East Zone won the toss and chose to bat first at Chepauk, and immediately made themselves at home. Openers Abhimanyu Easwaran and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi put on a fine 100-run stand before Ishan Kishan took center stage. Kishan struck an unbeaten 111 by stumps, with Kumar Kushagra keeping him company on 63*, as East Zone closed the day in firm control at 385/4.
Back on top after 13 years - East Zone have etched their name on the trophy for the third time, ending a 13-year wait after previously winning back-to-back titles. Ishan Kishan remains unbeaten as a skipper in domestic cricket, leading a hugely talented side from the front and making the most significant contribution to their title triumph.
East Zone crowned champions - The camera pans to Ishan Kishan, the skipper of East Zone, who looks animated, with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi right behind him. And there it is - the declaration! That also brings this game to an end in a draw, but East Zone are crowned Duleep Trophy 2026/27 champions on the strength of their first-innings lead. The entire East Zone squad floods onto the field and gathers in a huddle as the celebrations begin, led by Kishan, who is showing off some of his dance moves! The newly crowned champions then set off on a victory lap, acknowledging the fans who turned up to witness their triumph.
Full and on middle, takes off a bit, Md Kounain Qureshi looks to defend but the ball hits him high on the bat and rolls towards mid on.
Milind has looked more comfortable from around the wicket.
Back of a length and outside off, angling in, Md Kounain Qureshi leaves it alone.
Chama Milind needs some attention from the physio. He is feeling some cramps and is doing some stretching. He is good to go again.
Pitched up, on off, Mohammad Shami blocks it out well. A wicket-maiden over!
On a length and on middle, angling in, Mohammad Shami keeps it out on the pitch.
End of the massive 150-run stand. Mohammad Shami walks out to bat now.
OUT! CAUGHT! MD Nidheesh strikes right away on his return to the attack. He hits the deck hard and in the channel outside off, angles it in but straightens off the deck. Anukul Roy has a poke at it away from his body and only manages to get an outside edge. It flies to the right of first slip, almost goes behind him, but Devdutt Padikkal shows good reflexes to dive to his right to take a sharp catch. East Zone are 388/7, leading by 760 runs.
Goes fuller and around off, shaping away, Anukul Roy lets it go to the keeper.
Good length and on off, Anukul Roy stays back and blocks it out.
MD Nidheesh (8-1-28-1) is back on.
Full and way outside off, Anukul Roy leaves it alone.
Pitched up, on the pads, Anukul Roy glances it to deep fine leg for a single. That brings up the 150-RUN STAND between these two batters.
Hits the deck hard and just around off, holds its line, Anukul Roy leaves it alone.
Full again and on middle, Anukul Roy clips it towards short mid-wicket and sets off for the run, but is sent back. The fielder picks it up and has a shy at the batter's end but misses. It could have been close if there was a direct hit.
Anukul Roy calls for the physio. He injured his finger while batting in the first innings and needs some attention on it again. All good to resume!