Bengaluru, Sept. 11 -- Central Zone gained a firm upper hand on the opening day of the Duleep Trophy 2025 final against South Zone at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground here. After winning the toss and opting to bowl, Central Zone restricted South Zone to a modest total of 149 before reaching 50 without loss at stumps in their first innings, trailing by 99 runs.
South Zone's innings began positively, with opener Tanmay Agarwal providing impetus with a brisk 31. Agarwal looked set to anchor the innings but fell in a mix-up with fellow batsman Mohammed Azharuddeen, running out for 31. Azharuddeen, the captain and wicketkeeper, was bowled by Kumar Kartikeya, deceived by sharp turn from the off-spinner after scoring just four.
The innings u...