Central Zone are on top of the game in the Duleep Trophy 2025 final against South Zone in Bengaluru. On Day 3, Central Zone was bowled out for an impressive total of 511 in response to South Zone's first-innings score of 149 riding on Yash Rathod's magnificent 194.
Central Zone continue to dominate South Zone in Duleep Trophy final
Despite Central Zone's massive lead, South Zone displayed resilience in their second innings. At the close of play on Day 3, they were at a respectable 129/2, putting up a solid fight to stay in the contest. However, despite the fightback, they are still trailing by 233 runs.
Central Zone started Day 3 of the Duleep Trophy final with a commanding lead, resuming their innings at 384/5. All-rounder Saransh Jain, who had already taken a five-wicket haul in the match, reached his second consecutive fifty, scoring three runs on the day. He had previously made an unbeaten 63 in the semi-finals against West Zone.
Meanwhile, his partner, Yash Rathod, who began the day on 137, pushed on to achieve his second first-class 150. His first was a match-winning 151 against Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy semi-final earlier this year. The partnership between Rathod and Jain proved crucial, as they added a massive 176 runs for the sixth wicket. This followed Rathod's equally impressive 167-run partnership with centurion Rajat Patidar on Day 2, highlighting his central role in Central Zone's dominant performance.
On Day 3, Central Zone's strong batting performance continued before they began to lose wickets. Saransh Jain was the first to fall on the day, dismissed after a patient knock of 69. This brought an end to his impressive partnership with Yash Rathod, leaving Central Zone at 442 for 6. Rathod, who was on track for a maiden double century, was dismissed just six runs short by Gurjapneet Singh, who was the standout bowler for South Zone on Day 2. Rathod’s outstanding innings of 194 came off 286 balls and included 17 fours and two sixes.
Following Rathod’s dismissal, Deepak Chahar contributed a valuable 37 runs from the number eight position, frustrating the South Zone bowlers. Ankit Sharma eventually dismissed Chahar and then proceeded to take the final two wickets, bringing Central Zone's innings to a close at 511. This secured a massive 362-run first-innings lead. Both Ankit (4 for 180) and Gurjapneet (4 for 124) finished with four wickets each.
In their second innings, South Zone had a shaky start. Opener Mohit Kale was trapped lbw by Saransh Jain for 38, causing an early setback. After being in a comfortable position at 62 for 0, they slipped to 76 for 2 when Kuldeep Sen clean bowled Tanmay Agarwal for 26. However, Ravichandran Smaran (37 not out) and Ricky Bhui (26 not out) provided stability, forging an unbroken 53-run partnership to guide South Zone to 129 for 2 at stumps.