Duleep Trophy: Ankit, Dhull Centuries Propel North Zone to Commanding Lead Over East Zone

North Zone vs East Zone

A monumental 240-run partnership between Yash Dhull (133) and Ankit Kumar (168*) helped North Zone further strengthen their command over proceedings in the first quarterfinal against East Zone. Having already established a 175-run lead at Stumps on Day 2, North Zone batted all day, much to the torment of their opponents, to add another 388 runs to establish a 563-run lead by the close of play on Day 3.

The wicket of Shubham Khajuria (21), bowled by Suraj Jaiswal, brought Dhull to the crease and it marked the beginning of his relentless double-century stand with Ankit. Both batters notched up their respective centuries before Tea while being stern against the opposition's bowlers. East Zone's break came early in the third session after Riyan Parag trapped Dhull lbw to end the partnership. Their respite was, however, short-lived as Ayush Badoni (56*) and Kumar combined to share another unbeaten 94-run stand. Badoni went on to bring up his second fifty of the match while Ankit breached 150 before the close of play.

Brief scores: North Zone 405 & 388/2 (Ankit Kumar 168*, Yash Dhull 133; Suraj Jaiswal 1-37) lead East Zone 230 (Virat Singh 69; Auqib Nabi 5-28, Harshit Rana 2-56) by 563 runs.

Central Zone vs North East Zone

Central Zone imposed a towering 678-run lead over opponents North East Zone by Stumps on Day 3 in their quarterfinal clash. Having mounted a massive 532/4d in the first innings, Central Zone bowled their opponents out for just 185 before compiling 331/7 in their second essay on the back of a century from Shubham Sharma (122).

Resuming the day on 168/7, North East Zone managed to add just 18 runs to their overnight tally for their last three wickets with Khaleel Ahmed, who was wicketless till then, accounting for two of the three wickets to fall. In reply, Central Zone lost three wickets relatively early, with Bishworjit Konthoujam (2/67) sending back both openers early. Harsh Dubey, who was promoted to No. 5, fell soon after too, leaving Central Zone on 48/3. Captain Rajat Patidar (66), however, combined with Sharma to lead their recovery. Their 122-run stand steered the side back on course and it was followed by another stand worth 131 between Yash Rathod (78) and Shubham. The day, however, ended with some positives for North East Zone as Rathod and Aditya Thakare were both dismissed in the space of three balls at the stroke of Stumps.

Brief scores: Central Zone 532/4d & 331/7 (Shubham Sharma 122, Yash Rathod 78; Akash Choudhary 2-44) lead North East Zone 185 (Karnajit Yumnam 48, Ankur Malik 42; Aditya Thakare 3-23, Harsh Dubey 2-20) by 678 runs.