Tilak Varma played a pivotal role in the Duleep Trophy semifinal, leading South Zone

Tilak Varma

Tilak Varma Leads South Zone to Duleep Trophy Final

BENGALURU: Tilak Varma played a pivotal role in the Duleep Trophy semifinal, leading South Zone to a seven-wicket victory over North Zone. The South Zone captain was at the crease for all four days of the match, finishing with a winning boundary on Wednesday. With this win, South Zone secures a place in the final against East Zone.

Chasing 181, South got off to a steady start as openers Ricky Bhui (42) and N Jagadeesan (43) put on 64. Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines At the other end, R Smaran (32 n.o) settled in comfortably. Earlier, Kerala pacer MD Nidheesh (5/56) wrapped up North Zone’s second innings in the morning, bowling them out for 297 and completing his 10th five-wicket haul in first-class cricket. North added 41 runs to their overnight total. Karun had scored 699 runs in the last Ranji Trophy season.

Tilak later said after the match that Karun Nair’s omission from the playing XI was dictated by match-ups rather than form. Bhui entertained with a series of fluent strokes before a ramp shot off Gurnoor Brar, caught by Anshul Kamboj at third man, brought his innings to an end. Shaik Rasheed fell in the next over, but there was no further alarm for the South as Tilak stood firm. The left-hander looked assured, playing close to his body against Brar and showing fluency against both pace and spin. His drives were crisp, while the occasional reverse and paddle sweep showed he was willing to improvise without appearing out of control. He rotated the strike, found the boundary four times and cleared it once before Tilak provided the finishing touch. Nidheesh was relentless with his line and length and disturbed the stumps of Anshul Kamboj, Brar and Arshdeep Singh to finish with five wickets. Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.

Tilak, who had earlier rescued South with a gritty unbeaten century in the first innings, produced another composed half-century on the final day to complete a memorable all-round captaincy effort.