Tilak Varma Leads South Zone Into Duleep Trophy Final

Skipper Tilak Varma produced another composed innings to guide South Zone into the Duleep Trophy final with a seven-wicket victory over North Zone on the fourth and final day of their semifinal here on Wednesday.

Chasing 181 for victory, South completed the task in the first two sessions, finishing at 182 for three as Tilak remained unbeaten on 51 and shared an unbroken 80-run fourth-wicket partnership with Ravichandran Smaran (32 not out).

South Zone will face East Zone in the title clash in Chennai from September 6.

Tilak Stands Tall Under Pressure

Tilak, who had struck an unbeaten 116 in the first innings to help South establish a decisive 117-run lead, walked in with his side in a spot of bother at 102 for three.

The left-hander, who is also India’s vice-captain for the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan, once again displayed impressive temperament and technique against a North attack led by fiery pacer Gurnoor Brar and left-arm spinner Abid Mushtaq.

Brar repeatedly tested Tilak with sharp deliveries aimed at his ribs, while Mushtaq used the variable bounce from the deteriorating surface to challenge his footwork.

Tilak responded in style, producing a series of elegant drives through the off-side before using the reverse sweep and paddle sweep against Mushtaq to move South steadily towards the target.

Having batted across all four days of the match, the skipper fittingly finished the contest himself, smashing part-time leg-spinner Qamran Iqbal through the covers for the winning boundary.

Smaran Provides Perfect Support

Smaran proved an effective partner during the crucial chase, rotating the strike intelligently and punishing loose deliveries whenever opportunities arose.

The young left-hander produced one of the shots of the innings when he cracked Nishant Sindhu through the off-side, further easing the pressure on South.

Their partnership proved decisive after North had threatened to make the chase uncomfortable with three early wickets.

South had begun the day after losing Narayan Jagadeesan and Ricky Bhui, who had put together 64 runs for the opening wicket. Jagadeesan scored 43 after being dropped on 14 by wicketkeeper Kanaiah Wadhawan off Brar, while Bhui contributed 42. Shaik Rasheed was the other early dismissal.

Jagadeesan and Brar were involved in several heated exchanges during the former’s stay at the crease, adding further intensity to the contest.

Kamboj Gives North A Fighting Lead

North Zone, resuming their second innings at 256 for seven with an overall lead of 139, managed to stretch their advantage beyond 180.

Anshul Kamboj provided the late impetus with a brisk 36 off just 29 balls, giving North hope of setting South a challenging fourth-innings target.

The chase initially appeared to be heading towards a tense finish after South lost three wickets early on a crumbling pitch.

However, North’s sloppy fielding allowed the hosts to recover, and Tilak and Smaran took full advantage of the reprieves and loose moments.

The pair remained unbeaten through the remainder of the chase to complete a convincing seven-wicket victory and book South Zone’s place in the Duleep Trophy final.