East Zone skipper Ishan Kishan scored 270, helping his side post a mammoth 708 against Tilak Varma’s South Zone in the Duleep Trophy 2026 final on Day 2. East Zone registered their highest score in Duleep Trophy, breaking a 40-year-old record. In 1986, East Zone had scored 561 against West Zone in the semifinal.
Kishan is the first batter to score more than 250 in a Duleep Trophy final as captain. Overall, Kishan's 270 is the eighth-highest score in Duleep Trophy history. It is also the second-highest score in a Duleep Trophy final. For East Zone, it is the highest score in Duleep Trophy since Arun Lal's 287 against West Zone in 1986 edition.
Kushagra scores ton, Kishan nears double ton
East Zone started Day 2 at 385/4 with Kishan and Kumar Kushagra unbeaten on 111 and 63 respectively. Despite the second new ball being taken, South Zone pacers couldn't produce a breakthrough. In the 99th over, Kishan reached his 150 from 204 balls. In the 100th over, Kushagra scored his sixth first-class century from 128 balls. Spinner Tripurana Vijay broke the partnership with Kushagra's wicket. He scored 101 runs from 132 balls, featuring eight fours and five sixes. They shared a 230-run partnership for the fifth wicket. At the end of first session, East Zone had 491/5 on the board with Kishan unbeaten on 171.
ALSO READ: Asian Games 2026 schedule announced: Check details about India men's and women's clashes
Kishan reaches 250, gets retired hurt
Early in the second session, Varma and Mohammed Siraj tried to distract Kishan with banter. He responded with Kishan hitting three fours off Shreyas Gopal's over. Even Devdutt Padikkal was introduced into the attack. In 122nd over, Kishan hit Padikkal for a boundary to reach his double ton from 270 balls. While Anukul Roy played second fiddle, Kishan took an aggressive route. He cleared the fence often while Varma played the waiting game. In the 130th over, he reached his 250 from 300 deliveries. One ball later, he returned to the dressing room retired hurt as fatigue caught up with him.
Roy lost his wicket to Shaik Rasheed just before the tea break. Roy scored 45 runs from 98 balls. East Zone were 626/6 at the tea break.
Kishan returns but misses triple ton
In the third session, Mohammad Kounain Quarishi and Mohammed Shami frustrated South Zone bowlers. Gopal knocked over Shami in the 151st over. He scored 28 runs from 51 balls. After Shami's wicket, Kishan returned to bat. He looked to hit boundaries. A few overs later, Gopal got rid of Quraishi who scored 40 runs from 91 balls. Kishan was in no mood to run between the wickets. The field was spread out and he got caught at long-off by Smaran Ravichandran. Vijay ended Kishan's knock. He scored 270 runs from 334 balls laced with 30 fours and seven sixes. In the same over, he dismissed Mukesh Kumar for a four-ball duck as East Zone were bowled out for 708 in 163 overs. Siraj remained wicketless after bowling 25 overs and conceding 140 runs.
Who wins if Duleep Trophy final ends in a draw?
While the pitch has favoured the batters, wear and tear may help the bowlers in coming days. If South Zone manage to pull off a draw, they will have to cross 708. Otherwise, East Zone will win the title on the basis of first innings lead if the game ends in a draw.