West Zone bags Duleep Trophy with big victory over South

COIMBATORE: West Zone thrashed South Zone by 294 runs to win the Duleep Trophy here on Sunday, completing the formalities before lunch on the fifth and last day’s play.

Set an improbable target of 529 runs for an outright win, South Zone was bowled out for 234 in 71.2 overs, with left-arm spinner Shams Mulani (4/51) picking up three of the four wickets to fall on the final day. Resuming at 154 for six, South Zone batters T Ravi Teja and R Sai Kishore defied the West Zone attack for nearly two hours.

Teja (53 off 97 balls, 3 fours, 1 six) batted with resolve and was well supported by Sai Kishore (7), who kept the bowlers at bay for 82 deliveries. The duo added 57 runs off 157 deliveries, handling the West Zone bowlers with circumspection.

But, medium pacer Chintan Gaja (1/47) broke the fighting stand with the score at 203, when he had Sai Kishore caught by Priyank Panchal. K Gowtham, who joined Teja, also made sure the West Zone bowlers were made to work hard for more success. The pair added 23 runs and threatened to extend the game past the lunch break.

However, Mulani trapped Ravi Teja leg before wicket after the latter had scored a half-century. Basil Thampi (0) was the next to go, caught by Sarfaraz Khan off Mulani, before Tanush Kotian removed Gowtham (17) to end South Zone’s resistance.

“The way everyone contributed was magnificent. I am just looking to play one game at a time, not thinking too much about the future. I am excited about the season, first full season after COVID-19, look forward to playing for Mumbai,” winning captain Ajinkya Rahane said.

BRIEF SCORES: Final: West Zone 270 and 585/4 decl. bt South Zone 327 and 234 in 71.2 overs (R Kunnummal 93, T Ravi Teja 53, S Mulani 4/51)

Rahane asks Jaiswal to leave field for sledging

COIMBATORE: In a rare act, West Zone skipper Ajinkya Rahane ordered his teammate Yashasvi Jaiswal to leave the field for disciplinary reasons, setting an example on the fifth and last day of the Duleep Trophy final against South Zone here.

The 20-year-old Jaiswal was asked by Rahane to leave the field for going overboard with sledging South Zone batter T Ravi Teja. But, Jaiswal returned to the field after being away for seven overs. Ravi Teja had apparently complained about the verbal volleys that Jaiswal was consistently firing at him as the latter was fielding close to the bat. Later, Jaiswal was declared ‘Man of the Match’.