East Zone could not build on the platform set by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s 92-run knock and squandered a chance to take a first innings lead against Central Zone in Duleep Trophy 2026 semifinal. From 161 for no loss, East Zone were bowled out for 266 in the first innings. The game will enter record books as this is the first instance of a first innings tie in Duleep Trophy history.
Harsh Dubey claimed a four-fer whereas pacers Aryan Pandey and Yash Thakur shared three apiece to wrap up East Zone's first innings in 57 overs.
On Day 1, Central Zone were bowled out for 266 in 80.1 overs. Rinku Singh starred with a 60-run knock. Then, Thakur's unbeaten 26-ball 30 helped Central Zone get to 266. Mukesh Kumar and Abhijit K Sarkar bagged three wickets each. Mohammed Shami and Md Kounain Quraishi accounted for two wickets each.
In reply, East Zone got off to a brilliant start on Day 2. Sooryavanshi got early reprieves but he threatened to take the game away from Rajat Patidar-led side. The 15-year-old got to his half-century from 42 balls. He unleashed carnage on Central Zone bowlers, hitting seven fours and as many sixes. The opening partnership between Sooryavanshi and Abhimanyu Easwaran was broken by left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey in the 26th over. The youngster wanted to clear the ropes but was caught by Arshad Khan.
East Zone collapse after Sooryavanshi’s wicket
The opening partnership between Sooryavanshi and Easwaran was of 161 runs. Dubey struck twice in the 26th over. Kumar Kushagra was caught at second slip by Aman Mokhade. Easwaran and Sudip Kumar Gharami tried to steady the ship. In the 29th over, Easwaran was dismissed lbw by Aryan Pandey. He scored 69 runs from 106 balls. In the 41st over, Pandey struck twice, getting rid of Sudip Kumar Gharami and Virat Singh. Gharami scored 25 runs whereas Virat departed for a single-digit score. East Zone lost half the side for 213.
Skipper Ishan Kishan and Anukul Roy tried to stitch a partnership but Thakur did not let it flourish. Kishan departed after scoring 16 runs from 27 balls. In the next over, Anukul Roy fell to Dubey for 16 runs. Thakur continued to strike, getting wickets of Md Kounain Quraishi and Mukesh Kumar in consecutive overs. Dubey bagged his fourth wicket of the day, getting the better of Abhijit K Sarkar as East Zone were bowled out for 266 in 57 overs, leading to a historic first innings tie.