Duleep Trophy 2025 Final: Yash Rathods 194 helps Central Zone extend dominance over South Zone
Yash Rathod scored a career-best 194 to help Central Zone take a commanding lead against South Zone in the Duleep Trophy final on Saturday, September 13.
New Delhi: Yash Rathod notched up his highest first-class score as Central Zone took a massive first-innings lead of 362 against South Zone to gain control of the Duleep Trophy final at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on Saturday, September 14.
Central Zone started Day 3 at a strong 384/5, with Rathod batting on 137, and they scored 511 before getting bowled out in the post-lunch session.
Rathod, who was the highest run-getter in the previous Ranji Trophy season with 960 runs, came into the final after missing two chances against the NorthEast Zone to score centuries.
In the quarterfinal, he amassed 87 and 78 before getting dismissed for just two runs in the semifinal against the West Zone. Rathod completed his 150 in 223 balls and then surpassed his previous highest of 151. He forged a 176-run partnership with Saransh Jain for the sixth wicket.
The 25-year-old was batting well and looked to score his first double-hundred in first-class cricket, but missed a brilliant delivery from Gurjapneet Singh, which came back a bit from the off-stump line to rattle the stumps. After his dismissal, Central lost the remaining three wickets in just 11 runs. Gurjanpreet and Ankit Sharma took 4 wickets each.
South Zone 129/2 at stumps on Day 3
South Zone managed to score 129 for two in their second innings, and are still trailing by 233 runs. Ravichandran Smaran (37) and Ricky Bhui (26) remained unbeaten at the crease at stumps.
South Zone bowled out for just 149 in the first innings, but displayed better intent in the second. Tanmay Agarwal (26) and Mohit Kale (38) forged a 62-run partnership for the opening wicket.
Both the openers lost their wicket in quick succession, but Smaran and Bhui batted well and stitched an unbeaten 53-run partnership for the third wicket in 14.5 overs. Kuldeep Sen and Saranash Jain picked up one wicket each.