Harsh Dubey, Upendra Yadav and Rajat Patidar delivered crucial half-centuries, each with a different style, to help Central Zone secure a vital first-innings lead over West Zone in the Duleep Trophy semifinal. This performance has placed them on the verge of the Duleep Trophy final. By the end of Day 3, Central Zone had reached a commanding total of 556 for eight, holding a lead of 118 runs. Saransh Jain (37) and Yash Thakur (4) were at the crease, with Deepak Chahar (33) having been dismissed in the final moments of the day.
Yadav (87 from 181 balls) and Dubey (75 from 93 balls) were the architects of a decisive 134-run partnership for the sixth wicket that effectively took the match away from West Zone. Their approaches, however, were a study in contrast. Yadav was the picture of patience, building his innings steadily, while Dubey showcased his flair with a more aggressive approach.
The Maharashtra all-rounder, Dubey, began his innings with a rapid-fire assault, hitting five boundaries in his first 25 runs before settling into a more comfortable rhythm. Despite the initial aggression, he still brought up his fifty in a brisk 62 balls, highlighting his blend of power and control.
Upendra Yadav, who was dropped on 37 by Aarya Desai off the bowling of Dharmendra Jadeja (4/101), made the most of his second chance by reaching his fifty in 84 balls. His partnership with Harsh Dubey was the turning point of the match. The pair helped Central Zone surpass West Zone's first-innings total of 438, a moment that was met with cheers from the Central Zone dressing room after Dubey hit a boundary off pacer Arzan Nagwaswalla. Despite his strong performance, Dubey, who had also taken three wickets with his left-arm spin in West Zone's first innings, was dismissed just before a brief rain delay. The 23-year-old gave a straightforward catch to Shams Mulani at the slips, again off the bowling of Jadeja. However, his partnership with Yadav was crucial, especially after Central Zone's alarming slide in the morning session.
Starting the day at 229 for two, Central Zone's captain Rajat Patidar (77) and Shubham Sharma (96) looked comfortable as their partnership grew to 127. But Patidar's aggressive approach proved to be his undoing when he missed a sweep shot against Jadeja and was clean-bowled. His dismissal sparked a quick succession of wickets, which allowed West Zone to claw their way back into the match.
A spectacular catch at the slips by Ruturaj Gaikwad off Dharmendra Jadeja dismissed Yash Rathod for just 2, and the situation worsened for Central Zone when Shubham Sharma was run out. In an attempt to sneak a tight single, Shubham fell short of his richly deserved century by just four runs, unable to beat Tanush Kotian's throw from mid-on. It was a disheartening end for the 31-year-old, who had toiled for 241 balls. Central Zone's innings suddenly looked shaky, going from a comfortable 287 for two to a nervous 322 for five. The team was under pressure until Harsh Dubey and Upendra Yadav stabilized the innings and put them back on track. Despite losing three wickets for only 35 runs, Central Zone managed to score 129 runs in the first session, closing the gap with West Zone.
They went into lunch at 358 for five and needed 81 more runs to surpass West Zone's total, a feat they accomplished in the second session without losing a single wicket. In the final session, Deepak Chahar, who was hit on the hand by Arzan Nagwaswalla, and Saransh Jain further extended West Zone's agony with a rapid eighth-wicket stand, ensuring Central Zone secured a decisive lead.