East Zone skipper Ishan Kishan hit a crucial unbeaten century for the team in the Duleep Trophy final against South Zone at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. He came to bat after the unfortunate run out of Abhimanyu Easwaran fell and played confidently, scoring runs steadily. Kishan reached his hundred off 122 balls and finished the day at 111 not out, hitting 14 fours and 2 sixes. This innings also pushed Kishan past 4,000 first-class runs, making it a significant day for the East Zone captain.
Kishan’s unbeaten century led East Zone to end the first day in a good spot at 385 for 4. He also formed a solid, unbroken partnership of 144 runs with Kumar Kushagra, who was on 63 when play stopped. Kishan seemed at ease during his time at the crease and prevented South Zone from putting much pressure on East Zone in the last part of the day. With their captain still batting, East Zone is looking to him to continue his good form and make a very large score in the final.
East Zone dominate Day 1 to take control of Duleep Trophy final against South Zone in Chennai
East Zone got off to a blazing start to the Duleep Trophy Final in Chennai. Having won the toss they opted to bat and got off to an excellent start against South Zone with a confident 72 off 86 deliveries from Abhimanyu Easwaran. The young, 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi struck a quick 44 off just 37 deliveries before he fell to a couple of wickets for South Zone, including the run out of Easwaran.
Shikhar Mohan played a patient knock of 85 off 120 deliveries to keep the East Zone afloat.
However, he was dismissed by Chama Milind when East Zone were on 241 for 4, bringing the captain Ishan Kishan to the crease. Kishan changed the tempo of the innings in an instant, driving through the covers and finding boundaries at will to reach a spectacular century in 122 deliveries. He remained unbeaten at the close of the day on a stunning 111 with 14 boundaries and 2 sixes along with the steady support of Kumar Kushagra who also remained unbeaten on a very solid 63. Ishan Kishan and Kumar Kushagra put on an unbroken 144 run partnership to see East Zone finish a dominant Day 1 on 385 for 4. South Zone’s bowlers could not do enough to contain the batters, with Chama Milind being the only bowler to take a couple of wickets.
