Central Zone took complete control of the Duleep Trophy Final on Day 2 by piling on runs and burying South Zone under a mountain of runs. In fact, by stumps, Central had reached 384/5, giving them a commanding 235-run lead over South Zone.
Yes, you heard that right – Rajat Patidar smashed a century (101 off 115 balls) and Yash Rathod remained unbeaten on 137 while batting for Central Zone.
South Zone vs Central Zone, Final
Scorecard (End of Day 2)
- South Zone: 149 (all out)
- Central Zone: 384/5 (Patidar 101, Rathod 137*, Malewar 53)
Central’s First-Innings Lead Was 235 Runs.
Centuries: Rajat Patidar (CZ) 101, Yash Rathod (CZ) 137* (unbeaten)
Batting: Danish Malewar 53
Key Bowling: Gurjapneet Singh (South) 3/74. On Day 1, Saransh Jain took 5/49 and Kumar Kartikeya 4/53 to bowl South out for 149.
SUGGESTED READ: Duleep Trophy Highlights: South vs Central Final Day 1
With these figures, Central Zone set the stage like a juggernaut, their batsmen piling up runs as if laying bricks in a fortress.
– Doing best captaincy.
– Using bowlers perfectly.
– Giving 100 percent in Fielding.
– Scored 100* in the final.Rajat Patidar truely deserve to play in Indian test cricket team 🔥🥶 pic.twitter.com/dFtPdXKChb
— ` (@KohliHood) September 12, 2025
Central Zone’s Batting Onslaught in the Duleep Trophy Final
Central Zone’s batsmen took charge early on Day 2. They resumed at 50/0 (still trailing by 99) and quickly faced some hiccups.
In the morning session they lost Danish Malewar (53), Akshay Wadkar (22), and Shubham Sharma (6) in quick succession. South’s bowlers, especially pacers Gurjapneet Singh (3/74) and Vasuki Koushik, tried to build momentum.
Koushik ripped out Wadkar’s stumps with a peach of an inswinger, and Gurjapneet also removed Malewar for 53. But the pitch eased after lunch and Central’s middle order seized control.
Patidar and Rathod then took the game by the scruff of the neck – they put on a massive 167-run partnership for the fourth wicket. This stand was a runaway train that carried Central past South’s entire first-innings total (149) and well beyond.
Patidar played some delightful shots, punishing the bowlers with a sequence of 4,6,4 against spinner Ricky Bhui. He lofted Gurjapneet for back-to-back four and six to enter the 90s, and finally reached his century with a single.
At the other end Rathod was more cautious but equally effective. He took his time to get in, reached 50 in 84 balls, and then marched on to 137*.
Their batting was like twin pillars holding up the sky – solid and unstoppable. By stumps, Central’s lead was 235, essentially putting them on the brink of victory.
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Key Stats and Performers in Duleep Trophy Final Day 2
The Day 2 stats and standout names read like a who’s who of Central Zone dominance:
- Central finished 384/5 at stumps.
- The Patidar-Rathod partnership alone added 167 runs.
- Danish Malewar chipped in with 53 (52 balls).
- South Zone’s best effort came from Gurjapneet Singh (3/74).
On Day 1, Saransh Jain (5/49) and Kumar Kartikeya (4/53) dismantled South for 149.
Team | Innings 1 Score | Innings 2 Score | Notable Performances |
South Zone | 149 (all out) | N/A | Jain 5/49, Kartikeya 4/53, Gurjapneet 3/74 |
Central Zone | 384/5 | - | Patidar 101, Rathod 137*, Malewar 53 |
South Zone’s Struggles Under Pressure
Day 2 was a brutal afternoon for the South Zone. Their bowling, which had success at the start, faded as the day progressed.
Moreover, early strikes only delayed the inevitable. Once Patidar and Rathod settled, the South Zone attack had no answer. The conditions were overcast early on – “tailor-made for the bowlers” – but even under those skies, Central’s batsmen eventually prevailed when the sun broke through.
With South’s limited spin options exposed, Central exploited the gaps mercilessly.
After Patidar’s departure for 101, Rathod paired with Saransh Jain to add another 118 runs, pushing the lead beyond 200. In short, the South Zone never recovered.
It was like trying to stop a juggernaut with bare hands – eventually, they were drained and out of ideas.
What’s Next in the Duleep Trophy Final Day 3?
As Day 2 closed, Central Zone sat comfortably with a 235-run cushion. Going into Day 3, South Zone is effectively playing catch-up.
They will have to bat last on a pitch already showing signs of wear, which makes the task even harder. Central can afford to play conservatively or even declare early on Day 3 to put pressure on South.
In cricketing terms, Central has the match “in a vice,” and South Zone now needs something extraordinary – a massive batting turnaround and magical bowling – to stay alive.
Amit Mishra’s Thoughts
Central Zone’s Day 2 batting exhibition was domination of the highest order. To me, it feels like they already have one foot on the trophy. Unless South Zone script a miracle, Central’s train looks unstoppable.
Duleep Trophy Final FAQs
- Who scored the centuries for Central Zone on Day 2?
Rajat Patidar scored 101 and Yash Rathod remained unbeaten on 137. - What was the first-innings lead after Day 2 of the Duleep Trophy Final?
Central Zone had a 235-run lead after Day 2. - What were the innings totals for each team?
South Zone was bowled out for 149 in their first innings. Central Zone finished Day 2 on 384/5.
