East Zone has solidified its dominance in the Duleep Trophy 2026 final, concluding Day 4 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai with a score of 212/5, which gives them a commanding lead of 584 runs in their second innings against South Zone.
Having set a formidable total of 708 in their first innings, East Zone now enjoys a significant advantage.
At the end of the day’s play, Kumar Kushagra was not out on 34 from 55 balls, while Md Kounain Quraishi remained unbeaten on 26 off 30 deliveries. Kushagra hit three boundaries, and Quraishi added two fours and a six to his tally.
The day proved fruitful for the bowlers, with a total of nine wickets falling throughout the three sessions. East Zone quickly dismissed the South Zone tail early in the morning and opted not to enforce the follow-on, choosing instead to bat again on a pitch that continues to favor scoring.
Kishan’s Stellar Performance in Second Innings
Captain Ishan Kishan, who previously scored over 250 in the first innings, contributed a steady 80 runs off 98 balls in the second innings. His performance included nine fours and three sixes, forming the backbone of East Zone’s batting effort.
Kishan partnered with Shikhar Mohan for a crucial 126-run stand, with Mohan scoring 52 off 85 balls, which featured five fours and a six. This partnership was vital as East Zone had stumbled to 13/2 early in their innings.
South Zone’s Struggles in First Innings
Earlier in the day, South Zone was bowled out for 336 in their first innings, giving East Zone a massive 372-run lead. Captain Tilak Varma narrowly missed a century, scoring 99 runs off 211 balls, while Devdutt Padikkal added 62 off 104 balls, and Chama V Milind chipped in with 43 off 68 balls.
For East Zone, Mukesh Kumar was the standout bowler in South Zone’s first innings, taking 3 wickets for 62 runs, while Mohammed Shami claimed 2 for 42. Md Kounain Quraishi also contributed with two wickets for 99 runs.
Recap of East Zone’s Impressive First Innings
In their first innings, East Zone amassed a staggering total of 708, highlighted by Ishan Kishan’s remarkable 270 runs off 334 balls. Kumar Kushagra added 101 runs off 132 balls, while Shikhar Mohan and Abhimanyu Easwaran contributed 85 and 72 runs, respectively.
As Day 4 concluded, East Zone stood at 212/5 after 51 overs, with Kushagra and Quraishi at the crease. With a substantial lead of 584 runs, East Zone is firmly in control as they head into the final day.