Duleep Trophy overview: South Zone stuns West Zone to turn out to be champion

On paper, West Zone gave the impression to be the strongest facet within the Duleep Trophy, with a batting line-up that had the likes of Prithvi Shaw, Cheteshwar Pujara, Suryakumar Yadav, and Sarfaraz Khan, rendering them the agency favorite to go all the way in which.

But it took an impressive effort from South Zone to upset the apple cart and clinch the title. South Zone pacer Vidwath Kaverappa, declared the ‘Man of the Series’, performed an enormous position in his group’s success.

Kaverappa ran via the West batting line-up with a seven-for within the first innings — a powerful show of managed seam bowling. The Karnataka cricketer was relentless together with his off-stump line and good size, whereas getting the ball to maneuver simply sufficient to induce the sides.

With 49 wickets and 4 five-fours in his burgeoning 12-match First Class profession, Kaverappa stands tall as one of the best younger quick bowling expertise within the nation. If the 24-year-old continues his wealthy type, an India cap can’t be too distant.

South captain Hanuma Vihari took the daring resolution to incorporate V. Koushik within the enjoying eleven for the ultimate instead of Vihari’s Andhra teammate Ok.V. Sasikanth. Koushik was solely roped in as a substitute for opening bat Sai Sudharshan, who left to compete within the ACC Emerging Players Asia Cup.

One for the album: South Zone gamers pose with the Duleep Trophy after their win.
| Photo Credit:
Ok. MURALI KUMAR

Koushik repaid the religion proven in him by eradicating the core of the West’s resistance — Prithvi, Pujara, and Suryakumar — within the second essay.

Koushik might not be categorical, trundling in at round 120 kmph, however his nagging accuracy and exaggerated motion make him an enormous menace.

The third speedster, V. Vyshak, additionally got here good with 9 wickets within the event. In Kaverappa, Koushik, and Vyshak, Karnataka boasts a terrific tempo battery.

There was an depth seen from all groups that was lacking in earlier editions. With the India Test squad for the West Indies already introduced, there could not have been instant large rewards on provide, however the gamers did put their greatest foot ahead.

This was primarily all the way down to the sense of camaraderie among the many sides. To play for the zonal facet is an honour — a step above State duties. The return to the zonal system, after the randomly assigned India Blue, India Red, and India Blue sides used from 2016 to 2020, has taken the event again to its rightful place on the prime of the First Class hierarchy.

The will to win in any respect prices was exemplified by North Zone in its semifinal encounter in opposition to South Zone. In the final session of the ultimate day, South had the straightforward activity of getting 32 runs for the win.

North captain Jayant Yadav didn’t go quietly, utilizing time-wasting ways to frustrate the opponents. In the occasion of rain or dangerous mild forcing a draw, North would have gone via to the ultimate on the idea of gaining the first-innings lead.

This led to fielders being needlessly moved to all corners of the bottom, bowlers stopping in the midst of their run-up, and substitute fielders sauntering into the sector for a chat. The ways almost labored, as South misplaced wickets and dangerous mild got here into play. It was solely the cussed presence of Sai Kishore that guided South out of hassle.

By taking a route frowned upon even in soccer arenas, North flirted with bringing disrepute to the sport. But with the umpires not intervening, Jayant merely performed the playing cards out there to him with out remorse or repercussion.

Big prize: South Zone’s V. Koushik (2nd proper) celebrates with teammates after scalping Cheteshwar Pujara.
| Photo Credit:
Ok. MURALI KUMAR

Central Zone exited the competitors after a poor batting present in opposition to West within the different semifinal, however there was one brilliant spot in Saurabh Kumar. The left-arm spinner completed because the event’s most profitable bowler with 16 wickets. Saurabh continues to be a dependable performer in home cricket, even when his returns at instances go beneath the radar.

This version of the Duleep Trophy noticed the inclusion of a brand new group, North East. The facet entered because the minnows and had been thumped by North Zone within the quarterfinal. Despite this, North East’s presence was an encouraging transfer in selling the game to all corners of the nation.

North East took the outing severely, choosing solely homegrown gamers. Teenage quick bowler Pheiroijam Jotin, batter Nilesh Lamichaney, and spinners Kishan Singha and Imliwati Lemtur confirmed expertise, which augurs effectively for the way forward for cricket in these components. With time and extra match observe, North East will enhance.

That the whole event was not a whole wash out ought to be credited to the groundspersons on the two venues — M. Chinnaswamy Stadium and Alur grounds. Persistent heavy rains pressured a number of interruptions, however the floor employees and the wonderful SubAir drainage system on the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium labored wonders to make play attainable.

The pitch on the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium performed true and lasted the space, including a way of pleasure to proceedings. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) got here in for reward from gamers for pulling off an gratifying event.