Jaiswal scores double century; West Zone back

COIMBATORE: Young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed his way to a double hundred in just about two-and-a-half sessions as West Zone took control of the proceedings despite South Zone’s 57-run first innings lead on the third day of the Duleep Trophy final here.

At the end of Friday’s play, West Zone was 376 for three in its second innings, courtesy Jaiswal’s unbeaten 209 off 244 balls that had 23 fours and three sixes. West Zone, which bowled South Zone out for 327 in the first innings after the latter began on its overnight score of 318 for seven, now has a lead of 319 runs.

Jaiswal shared a 169-run third-wicket stand with Shreyas Iyer (71 off 113 balls, 4 fours, 2 sixes) and another 58 for the unbroken fourth wicket with Sarfaraz Khan (30 batting off 58 balls, 3 fours). The southpaw had accumulated 110 runs with opening partner Priyank Panchal (40 off 64 balls, 4 fours) at little less than five runs per over.

The day will be best remembered for the duel between two powerhouse performers – Jaiswal and South Zone left-arm spinner R Sai Kishore (2/100).

BRIEF SCORES: Final: West Zone 270 and 376/3 in 85 overs (Y Jaiswal 209*, Shreyas 71, P Panchal 40, R Sai Kishore 2/100) vs South Zone 327 in 83.1 overs (B Indrajith 118, M Pandey 48, K Gowtham 43, J Unadkat 4/52, A Sheth 3/51)