Central Zone Dominates Duleep Trophy Semis, North East Struggles

Bengaluru, August 29 (PTI) - Central Zone's command over the Duleep Trophy semi-final became evident as they relegated North East to 168 for 7 on Day 2. Central Zone had earlier amassed a formidable first innings total of 532 for 4, thanks to key performances from their batsmen. Pacer Aditya Thakare’s impressive spell, claiming three wickets in three overs, dismantled the North East side’s progress.

North East Zone was well-placed at 128 for 2, but things quickly unraveled when left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey and his Vidarbha teammate Thakare sparked a collapse. Dubey, returning with figures of 2 for 19 in 17 overs, triggered the downfall, removing four batsmen while skipper Rongsen Jonathan also fell to a run-out.

What was once a comfortable position of 128 for 2 for North East soon crumbled to 136 for 7. Ankur Malik, unbeaten on 31, and Palzor Tamang, on 3, managed to stop further damage by the day's end. However, North East finds themselves trailing Central by a substantial 364 runs.

Central skipper Rajat Patidar orchestrated the batting strategy, allowing his team 25 overs in the morning to add an additional 100 runs to their overnight score of 432/2. Danish Malewar celebrated his maiden first-class double hundred, retiring after scoring 203, as Yash Rathod added an unbeaten 87 runs off 108 balls.

Later, during North East’s batting effort, the opening pair of Karnajit Yumnam and Techi Doria provided a cautious 72-run stand. They handled former India seamer Deepak Chahar, who bowled without wicket success, with composure. However, Dubey soon broke this partnership with a delivery that had Doria’s stumps pegged back.

Karnajit’s dismissal from a direct hit by opposition skipper Patidar left Aryan Juyal completing the run-out without hassle. Jehu Anderson (17) and Ashish Thapa (35) were involved in another partnership worth 53 runs before Dubey claimed his 100th first-class wicket, stumping Anderson.

Thakare’s impressive spell followed soon after, striking in the 49th, 51st, and 53rd overs with the old SG Test ball. Thapa fell to a skillful cover drive catch by Shubham Sharma, while Hem Chhetri mishandled a short ball to find himself caught at fine leg. Pheiroijam Jotin’s mistimed drive ended in the gully fielder’s hands. To add to the woes, Jonathan was run-out, marking a day dominated by Central Zone.

Brief Scores: Central Zone 532/4 decl (Danish Malewar 203 rtd out, Rajat Patidar 125, Yash Rathod 87). North East Zone 168/7 (Karnajit Yumnam 48, Aditya Thakare 3/23, Harsh Dubey 2/19).

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