DULEEP TROPHY: North Zone seize control, East Zone trails by 175 runs

Srinagar, Aug 29: Day 2 of the Duleep Trophy quarterfinal 1 concluded with North Zone firmly in control. They amassed 405 runs in the first innings and then bowled out East Zone for 230, securing a 175-run lead at stumps.

For the North Zone, it was a collective batting effort. Kanhaiya Wadhawan (76 on debut), Ayush Badoni (63), Nishant Sindhu (47), and Yash Dhull (39) ensured a formidable total. Wadhawan’s knock was particularly crucial as he held the lower order together.

East Zone’s reply never gathered momentum despite resistance from Virat Singh (69), Utkarsh Singh (38), and Riyan Parag (39). The innings was wrecked by Auqib Nabi, whose sensational spell (5/28) included a hat-trick. He was ably backed by Harshit Rana (2/56) and Arshdeep Singh (1/51).

Celebrating the impact of J&K players, Brig Anil Gupta, member of the BCCI sub-committee for JKCA, said, “First of all, I would like to congratulate the entire cricket fraternity of J&K for having four players in the North Zone playing XI. The only thing better would have been if all five had made it. But the four who were selected proved that their place was well-deserved. Shubham gave a solid start, Kanhaiya scored a brilliant 76 on debut, and Auqib not only hit 44 crucial runs but then stole the show with four wickets in four balls, a hat-trick, and a fifer. Today, the entire J&K should be celebrating.”

Earlier, Mithun Manhas, JKCA’s Head of Cricket Operations and Development, hailed both Wadhawan and Nabi, “Auqib’s spell was world-class, but equally, Kanhaiya’s 76 was as good as a hundred. J&K cricket has been growing from strength to strength in the past few years, and these performances are proof of that. Duleep Trophy is India’s premier domestic tournament where selectors watch every game, and Auqib has definitely strengthened his case for national selection.”

With North Zone already in the driver’s seat, the team will look to extend their dominance heading into Day 3, while East Zone will aim to regroup quickly to stay alive in the contest.