In a commanding performance on the second day of the Duleep Trophy quarterfinals in Bengaluru, North Zone gained control of the match. With lively spells from Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, along with a sensational five-wicket haul from Auqib Nabi, which included a hat-trick, they bowled out East Zone for just 230. This gave them a significant lead of 183 runs, as they had previously reached a total of 405. Wicketkeeper-batter Kanhaiya Wadhawan contributed with a fluent 76. Both Arshdeep and Rana, who are preparing for the Asia Cup, demonstrated their readiness with intense spells throughout the day.
Auqib Nabi stars with historic hat-trick for North Zone
This match was particularly significant for Arshdeep Singh, as it was his first red-ball game since October 2024. He was also making a comeback from a left thumb injury sustained during an intra-squad match in England in July. Despite the layoff, the left-arm pacer showed no signs of discomfort, bowling 17 overs with sustained hostility. The overcast conditions and a two-paced pitch certainly helped, but Arshdeep's ability to consistently move the ball and find a perfect fuller length was impressive.
Meanwhile, Harshit Rana, whose last first-class match was against the England Lions, operated with a series of heavy balls that earned him two wickets. He dismissed Utkarsh Singh and Sridam Paul. Utkarsh was unlucky to be given out caught behind off a delivery down the leg side, while Paul had no answer to a brisk delivery that took a slight outside edge on its way to the keeper's gloves. Earlier in the day, Arshdeep had also claimed a similar dismissal, bowling East Zone opener Sharandeep Singh with a delivery that clipped the off-stump bails. The ability of both Arshdeep and Rana to deliver long, effective spells will certainly be a positive sign for the selectors as they look to pick the squad for the upcoming home Test series against the West Indies.
Central Zone dominate North East Zone
A sensational double-century by Danish Malewar and a dramatic batting collapse from North East Zone has given Central Zone complete control of their Duleep Trophy clash. At stumps on day two, Central Zone had firmly established their dominance.
Malewar's impressive knock of 203 ensured Central Zone was able to declare their innings at 532 for 4 in just 102 overs. In response, North-East Zone was in a stable position at 128 for 2 before a devastating middle-order collapse saw them lose five wickets for just eight runs. They ended the day at 168 for 7, still trailing by a massive 364 runs, with an uphill battle ahead.
Earlier in the day, Malewar reached his first-ever first-class double century. After retiring at 203, he was replaced by Shubham Sharma. Yash Rathod then capitalized on a struggling bowling attack to score his seventh first-class fifty. After Sharma fell for 34, Central Zone declared their innings, with Rathod remaining unbeaten on 87.
In their reply, North East Zone's Yumnam Karnajit and Doria built a solid 72-run opening partnership before Harsh Dubey bowled Doria. The Central Zone quickly capitalized on this breakthrough, as skipper Rajat Patidar ran out Yumnam, who was just two runs short of his fifty. Dubey continued his impressive spell, stumping Jehu Anderson for 17. Thakare then took over, dismissing Ashish Thapa for 35 before quickly getting rid of Hem Chetri and Pheiroijam. The day concluded with R. Jonathan being run out by Malewar, capping off another commanding performance by Central Zone.