South Zone got off to a perfect start in the semi-final against North Zone in the Duleep Trophy semi-final. Debutant Rohan S Kunnumal and skipper Hanuma Vihari's centuries helped South Zone dominate on Day 1 whereas half-centuries from Prithvi Shaw and Rahul Tripathi save West Zone from embarrassing collapse.
Big runs on the board
After Vihari won the toss and opted to bat first at SCF Cricket Ground, Salem, Kunnummal and Mayank Agarwal shared a 102-run opening partnership. Agarwal missed his half-century by just one run. He hit six fours and one six in his 49-run knock.
Vihari walked out to bat at no.3 and frustrated North Zone bowlers. They shared a 167-run partnership for the second wicket. It was Navdeep Saini who got the breakthrough. Kunnummal scored 143 runs from 225 deliveries including 16 fours and two sixes before getting bowled.
Vihari carried on and reached his century in the third session. At the end of the day, he remained unbeaten for 107 off 220 deliveries including seven fours and one six. On the other end, Babar Indrajith is not out for 20 off 37 deliveries. South Zone have put themselves in a good position with 324/2 on the board and will look to post a massive first innings score.
Kartikeya’s fifer
In the other semi-final of the day which is being played at SNR College Cricket Ground, Coimbatore, West Zone got off to a poor start after they were put to bat first by Central Zone skipper Karan Sharma. With the new ball, Aniket Choudhary and Gaurav Yadav got the big wickets of opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and skipper Ajinkya Rahane.
Shaw and Tripathi steadied the ship. But, Kumar Kartikeya provided the major breakthrough by sending Shaw back to the pavillion. The opener scored 60 runs from 78 deliveries including 10 boundaries before getting bowled.
Armaan Jaffer stayed in the middle for a while but got out for 23 after playing himself in. Wicketkeeper-batter Het Patel did not do much in the middle and got out leg before wicket for a single-digit score to Kartikeya.
West Zone needed another partnership after losing half the side for 148. Tripathi stitched a 74-run partnership with Shams Mulani. The all-rounder scored 41 runs from 77 deliveries in the partnership. Kartikeya struck again and got the wicket of Atit Sheth too. Tanush Kotian provided some support with 77-ball 36 but Kartikeya got his wicket and Jaydev Unadkat to complete his fifer.
At the end of the day, West Zone were 252/9 after 82 overs. Tripathi's overnight score is 64 off 137 deliveries including five fours and one six. On the other end, Chintan Gaja is batting on 5.
