Archive · 11 Sep 2026
East Zone Claim Duleep Trophy After 13-Year Wait
East Zone won the Duleep Trophy even though the final match was drawn.
In cricket, a team can win a drawn match if it has a big first-innings lead.
East Zone scored 708 runs before South Zone was dismissed for 336.
East then batted again and declared at 388 runs for seven wickets.
Ishan Kishan scored 270 runs in the first innings and 80 in the second.
Md Kounain Quraishi added an unbeaten 116 in East Zone’s second innings.
South Zone captain Tilak Varma scored 99.
East Zone’s victory ended a 13-year wait for the trophy.
East Zone won the Duleep Trophy after the Chennai final against South Zone ended in a draw on Day 5.
East Zone built its title-winning first-innings lead by scoring 708, while South Zone made 336.
Ishan Kishan scored 270 and 80 to finish with 350 runs and earn Player of the Match honors.
Md Kounain Quraishi made an unbeaten 116 and Anukul Roy scored 64 before East declared at 388/7.
Tilak Varma scored 99 for South Zone and was named Player of the Series after the tournament.
- Who
- East Zone and South Zone, captained by Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma respectively.
- What
- East Zone won the Duleep Trophy on the basis of its first-innings lead after the final was drawn.
- When
- The final ended on Day 5, September 10.
- Where
- The M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai.
- Why
- East Zone scored 708 in its first innings, while South Zone made 336, giving East a decisive lead.
East Zone's Dominance
South Zone's Assessment
How the final was decided
East Zone's Dominance
East Zone’s 708-run first innings created a lead South Zone could not overcome, allowing East to win despite the drawn match.
South Zone's Assessment
South Zone captain Tilak Varma said chasing 708 was difficult and credited East Zone’s batters for completely outplaying his team.
Team performance
East Zone's Dominance
East Zone’s batting contributions included Ishan Kishan’s 270 and 80, Quraishi’s unbeaten 116, and Anukul Roy’s 64.
South Zone's Assessment
Varma acknowledged that South Zone had not bowled well enough and said the team tried to keep batting but could not match East Zone’s total.
- Competition
- Duleep Trophy final
- Result
- East Zone won after the match was drawn, using its first-innings lead
- East Zone scores
- 708 and 388/7 declared
- South Zone score
- 336
- Ishan Kishan
- 350 runs, including scores of 270 and 80
- Top second-innings score
- Md Kounain Quraishi, 116 not out
- Previous East Zone title
- 2012-13 season; the victory ended a 13-year drought
- Player of the Series
- Tilak Varma
Sources
East bury South under runs to win Duleep title: Ishan Kishan stands out in the final
Duleep Trophy Final: Kishan leads East Zone to first title in 13 years with 350 runs vs South Zone
Duleep Trophy final: East Zone close in on title after Ishan Kishan's 80 and 270 - Telegraph India
