Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Duleep Trophy Final Turns Into Batting Run-Fest on Lifeless Pitch
The Duleep Trophy final has become a very high-scoring cricket match.
East Zone scored 708 runs in its first innings.
Ishan Kishan made a huge score of 270 runs.
The Chennai pitch is very flat, so bowlers have struggled to take wickets.
South Zone took only nine wickets in the first 163 overs.
Mohammed Siraj bowled 25 overs without taking a wicket.
South Zone now needs to bat well to get close to East Zone’s score.
The team hopes players such as Devdutt Padikkal and Tilak Varma can keep the match competitive.
Ishan Kishan scored a career-best 270 as East Zone made 708.
South Zone bowlers took only nine wickets in 163 overs across two days.
Mohammed Siraj went wicketless for 25 overs while conceding 140 runs.
The match featured 708 runs, 73 fours, 18 sixes and 10 wickets.
South Zone still hope to challenge for the title through Devdutt Padikkal and Tilak Varma.
- Who
- East Zone and South Zone, featuring players including Ishan Kishan, Mohammed Siraj, Devdutt Padikkal and Tilak Varma.
- What
- East Zone made 708 in the Duleep Trophy final while South Zone’s bowlers struggled on a batter-friendly pitch.
- When
- The first two days, with the opening day identified as Monday, September 7, 2026.
- Where
- M A Chidambaram Stadium, also known as Chepauk, in Chennai.
- Why
- The flat, slow pitch offered little assistance to South Zone’s bowlers and heavily favored batting.
Pitch Criticism
South Zone’s Remaining Hope
Effect of the pitch
Pitch Criticism
The pitch has been described as flat, slow and lifeless, making the final a lopsided run-fest and offering little help to bowlers.
South Zone’s Remaining Hope
South Zone’s batters can take confidence from the pitch remaining flat and suitable for scoring runs.
State of the contest
Pitch Criticism
The one-sided conditions risk producing a drab match and could discourage supporters from attending domestic cricket.
South Zone’s Remaining Hope
South Zone is still considered in contention because the first-innings lead determines the winner, and it may get close to or surpass 708.
- Competition
- Duleep Trophy final
- East Zone total
- 708 runs in the first innings
- Top scorer
- Ishan Kishan, 270 runs
- Bowling statistic
- South Zone took nine wickets in 163 overs
- Mohammed Siraj
- 25 overs, no wickets, 140 runs conceded
- Match totals
- 708 runs, 73 fours, 18 sixes and 10 wickets
- Venue
- M A Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai