The first quarter-final match of the Duleep Trophy 2026 between East Zone and North East Zone concluded with a massive victory for East Zone by an innings and 210 runs at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. With this comprehensive win, East Zone successfully booked a place in the semifinals of the tournament. The driving force behind this victory was 31-year-old Shahbaz Ahmed, whose stellar all-round contribution proved pivotal. He anchored the batting lineup with a magnificent century and also picked up a total of 4 wickets across both innings with the ball, earning him the well-deserved Player of the Match award.
Early Setbacks for Top Order
Winning the toss and batting first, East Zone faced early troubles when marquee players like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Ishan Kishan failed to deliver substantial scores. Vaibhav was dismissed for 8 runs off 6 deliveries, while Ishan managed only 4 runs from 9 balls. Despite these quick setbacks, the team managed to recover significantly as other batsmen stepped up to construct major innings and propel the total to a commanding position.
Centuries from Sudip Kumar and Shahbaz Ahmed
The revival was led by Sudip Kumar Gharami and Shahbaz Ahmed, both of whom scored brilliant centuries. Sudip played a magnificent knock of 146 runs off 185 balls, hitting 25 boundaries and a six. Meanwhile, Shahbaz Ahmed compiled 167 runs from 244 deliveries, featuring 17 fours and 4 sixes. Complementing them, Kumar Kushagra added a valuable contribution of 55 runs. Fueled by these impressive performances, East Zone posted a formidable total of 467 runs on the board.
North East Zone Collapses Under Pressure
In response, North East Zone struggled heavily during their first innings and were bundled out for just 111 runs. Following the massive deficit, East Zone enforced the follow-on. The second innings brought no relief for North East Zone as their batting lineup crumbled once again, getting bowled out for 146 runs. Feroijam Jotyn top-scored for his side in the second innings with 39 runs.
Bowling Dominance and Match Conclusion
During the second innings, Anukul Roy spearheaded the East Zone bowling attack by claiming the highest number of 5 wickets. Additionally, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi bowled 3 overs and picked up two wickets. The clinical display in both departments sealed a comprehensive victory and propelled East Zone into the next stage of the tournament.
