East Zone moved significantly closer to securing the Duleep Trophy title in Chennai, maintaining their dominance on the third day of the final. After posting a massive 708-run total in their first innings, East Zone’s bowlers capitalized on a surface that remained largely favorable for batting, despite occasional low bounce, to reduce South Zone to 242/6 by the close of play. South Zone currently trails by 466 runs, with Tilak Varma providing a glimmer of resistance through a determined, unbeaten half-century.
The morning session began with promise for South Zone as N. Jagadeesan found early boundaries against Mukesh Kumar. However, the momentum shifted when Ricky Bhui was dismissed in a frustrating manner. Attempting to glance a delivery from Mukesh that was drifting down the leg side, Bhui edged the ball to the wicketkeeper. Although initially ruled not out, East Zone successfully challenged the decision with a sharp review. Devdutt Padikkal soon settled in, playing with control and finding the ropes, while he and Jagadeesan put together a partnership exceeding 50 runs. The stand ended when Jagadeesan played a loose shot, leading to his departure.
Padikkal continued to anchor the innings, forging a productive partnership with Shaik Rasheed, who looked comfortable hitting boundaries against Shikhar Mohan and Mohammed Shami. The veteran Shami eventually broke through after the lunch break, trapping Rasheed leg-before-wicket with a delivery that nipped back. Shortly after, Padikkal’s promising knock of 62 ended in disappointment; he attempted a pick-up shot despite the presence of boundary riders, resulting in a catch at deep square leg.
A brief recovery effort led by Tilak Varma and Smaran Ravichandran helped stabilize the innings for over 100 deliveries. The partnership was broken just before the Tea break when Shami returned to the attack. Ravichandran, attempting a drive, was caught behind after a successful review by East Zone captain Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, which detected a faint edge. Tilak Varma continued his fight in the final session alongside Shreyas Gopal, with both batters rotating the strike effectively against the spinners. Tilak reached his fifty off 123 balls with a boundary against part-timer Ishan Kishan.
Just as the pair seemed set to frustrate the East Zone bowlers until the second new ball was available, the partnership was severed late in the day. Shreyas Gopal, looking to defend, hit a well-tossed delivery straight back to the bowler, bringing his resistance to an end. At stumps, South Zone stood at 242/6, with Tilak Varma unbeaten on 56 and Mohammed Shami leading the East Zone attack with figures of 2-11. The report also notes that having already dominated proceedings on the first two days by posting 708, East Zone picked up five wickets on a surface that still looked good for batting with just the odd ball staying low. The report also notes that by Stumps on Day 3 in Chennai, South Zone were 242/6, still trailing by 466 runs, with Tilak Varma showing plenty of grit with an unbeaten half-century. The report also notes that padikkal didn’t take long to get going though. The report also notes that much to Padikkal’s frustration as he threw away a great opportunity to pile on the runs and help himself to another big score, the man at deep square leg completed the catch. The report also notes that another small partnership was then brewing between Tilak Varma and Smaran Ravichandran to steady a sinking ship.
