In a rain-affected semifinal match at Alur (I) Cricket Ground in Bengaluru, West Zone secured its place in the 34th Duleep Trophy final by surpassing Central Zone’s first-innings lead. This historic achievement puts West Zone in contention for its 19th Duleep Trophy title, surpassing North Zone’s record. Despite the limited play due to rain, the match witnessed some noteworthy performances.
West Zone’s Dominance and Early Dismissals
West Zone’s dominant display began as they quickly dismantled Central Zone’s batting lineup, dismissing both openers within the first nine overs. Himanshu Mantri fell to Arzan Nagwaswalla’s delivery, caught by Sarfaraz Khan at gully, while Vivek Singh was dismissed by Atit Sheth, caught behind the wicket. This early breakthrough shattered Central Zone’s hopes of chasing down West Zone’s formidable target.
Dhruv Jurel showcased his resilience and batting skills by standing strong against West Zone’s pacers. His well-judged shot selection and ability to play the pull shot effectively kept the opposition at bay. Jurel’s stroke-making caused an injury scare when Sarfaraz Khan was struck on the shin while fielding at silly point. Despite his valiant efforts, Jurel’s innings came to an end when he attempted to take on Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, resulting in an easy stumping for wicketkeeper Het Patel.
Rinku Singh’s Heroics and Rain Interruption
Rinku Singh injected momentum into Central Zone’s innings with his aggressive stroke play. The left-handed batsman displayed his power by hitting Dharmendrasinh Jadeja for two sixes, one of which soared beyond the ground, causing a temporary halt in the game. Singh also targeted Yuvrajsingh Dodiya, hitting him for a maximum. However, his innings was cut short after lunch when he failed to clear Nagwaswalla at mid-on. Soon after, rain interrupted the match, leading to an extended break.
Despite efforts to resume play, the rain persisted, and both teams agreed on the impracticality of continuing the match. An early Tea was taken, and the match was eventually called off, granting West Zone a direct passage to the Duleep Trophy final. With a potential victory in the final, West Zone could secure their record-extending 19th Duleep Trophy title, surpassing North Zone’s previous record.
