Bowlers help West Zone gain command over South Zone in Duleep Trophy final | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The West Zone bowlers struck in unison to dominate the South Zone team, leaving them in a precarious position at 182 for seven at the end of the opening day of the Duleep Trophy final in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
Opting to bowl, the West Zone bowlers maintained their advantage throughout the day on a mostly overcast day that was ultimately called off due to poor light.
Captain Hanuma Vihari put up a lone fight for the South Zone team, scoring 63 runs off 130 balls. However, the challenging conditions made it clear that individual heroics would not be enough to turn the tide in South’s favor.

The West Zone pacers, including Arzan Nagwaswalla, Chintan Gaja, and Atit Sheth, should be commended for their disciplined bowling, which restricted the South Zone batting line-up. They effectively moved the ball, keeping the South openers, Mayank Agarwal and R Samarth, cautious.
The first wicket fell quickly, as Samarth chose to cut a short and wide delivery from Gaja and was caught behind the stumps by Harvik Desai.
Mayank and Tilak Varma then tried to build a partnership for the South Zone. In the process, Mayank reached the milestone of completing 7000 runs in First-Class cricket from 159 innings, starting the match at 6976 runs.
However, Mayank couldn’t capitalise on his start. His attempts to counter the movement by walking down the pitch proved ineffective and eventually led to his dismissal.
It transpired this soon. The Karnataka right-hander’s expansive drive off Sheth had fatal consequences, ending in a catch to Sarfaraz Khan at third slip.

At 42 for 2, South were in some danger but the best passage of their innings followed. Tilak and Hanuma Vihari milked 79 runs for the third wicket as South inched towards a safer zone. South went to lunch at 100 for two.
Vihari was particularly impressive, neutralising the pacers in a manual-perfect way. The Hyderabad right-hander played the quicks closer to his body, muffling the bounce and movement. It helped him resist the West bowlers for over three hours on the day.
Vihari brought out his wristy flicks whenever the pacers drifted on to his pads, adding that touch of elegance to his otherwise doughty innings.
The extra second he had in his hand to play the ball was quite evident and his method was quite different from other South top order batters who went in search of the ball.
Unfortunately, playing late led to his doom as well. Vihari tried to late cut left-arm spinner Shams Mulani but the ball snaked onto the stumps after taking the edge of his bat.
Tilak perished to Nagwaswalla as the West Zone ate into the meat of South batting order quickly in the post lunch session.
West snaffled four wickets in this period for 66 runs to leave their opponents in a spot of bother.
(With PTI inputs)