South Zone opener’s half-century and Bazball-like batting from Hanuma Vihari-led middle order helped them win the semi-final by two wickets on a rain-affected day. South Zone batters had no option but to take the attacking approach as a draw would mean that North Zone would advance to the final on the basis of first innings lead.
Early on Day 4, Sai Sudharsan edged one to wicketkeeper Prabhsimran Singh off Vaibhav Arora’s bowling. Arora got North Zone's tails up with Ravikumar Samarth's wicket for a single-digit score. On the other end, Agarwal scored at a brisk pace. He shared a crucial 59-run partnership with Vihari. Jayant got the breakthrough in the 22nd over. He trapped Agarwal in front of the stumps. The South Zone opener scored 54 runs from 57 balls including seven fours.
Vihari and Ricky Bhui did not hold back either. They scored at a strike rate over 100. Harshit Rana's pace caused trouble again. Vihari got out for a 42-ball 43. He hit eight boundaries in his innings. Bhui approached the run chase with Bazball-like approach as well. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 34 runs from 29 deliveries including three fours and one six.
After earning his maiden T20I call-up, Tilak Varma batted with a T20I-like strike rate. Varma scored 25 runs from just 19 balls including two sixes. Rana got his wicket followed by Washington Sundar for a single-digit score. After Rana's double blow, South Zone still needed 14 runs to win with three wickets in hand. Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore and KV Sasikanth were looking to finish the run chase in a hurry. Baltej Singh got the wicket of Sasikanth. Kishore ended the run chase with a six as South Zone won the match by two wickets.
What happened on first three days?
Earlier, Vihari won the toss and opted to field first. North Zone faced a top-order collapse. Prabhsimran's 49, Rana's 31-run cameo and other contributions helped North Zone post 198. Vidwath Kaverappa bagged a fifer to restrict North Zone for a below par score.
In reply, South Zone suffered a collapse as well and lost four wickets for 35. Agarwal led the fightback with support from Varma. Agarwal's 76 helped South Zone post 195 on the board.
North Zone batters were slightly better in the second innings. However, it was Prabhsimran's 63 and yet another cameo from Rana (38) which helped North Zone post 211 on the board and set a 215-run target.
The final encounter
South Zone will take on Priyank Panchal-led West Zone in the final of Duleep Trophy starting July 12 at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. As rain played spoilsport, West Zone reached the final on the basis of first innings lead.
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