South Zone vs East Zone Live Score, Final of Duleep Trophy, 2026

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!