Duleep Trophy: Saransh and Kartikeya run through South Zone, put Central Zone in driver’s seat (Image via IANS)

Central Zone seized the early advantage in the Duleep Trophy final after spinners Saransh Jain and Kumar Kartikeya combined to dismantle South Zone for just 149 on Thursday. At stumps, Central were 50 without loss, reducing the deficit to 99 runs. Jain returned figures of 5 for 49, his ninth five-wicket haul in first-class cricket, while Kartikeya took 4 for 53. Together, they bowled 45 overs and capitalised on South’s lack of conviction at the crease. South’s troubles began in the 16th over when opener Mohit Kale (6) attempted an ill-judged sweep off Kartikeya and was bowled. From there, wickets fell steadily, leaving the side 64 for four at lunch. The dismissal of Tanmay Agarwal (31), run out after a mid-pitch collision with Ricky Bhui (15), proved especially costly. Skipper Mohammed Azharuddeen soon followed, undone by a delivery from Kartikeya that pitched on middle and clipped off stump. The post-lunch session offered little respite as indecision continued to plague the batting unit. Andre Siddarth’s dismissal highlighted that uncertainty. The Tamil Nadu batter, having played a neat flick earlier, misjudged the flight while charging Kartikeya and was stumped by Upendra Yadav, who showed sharp reflexes to gather a ball bouncing above his waist. Salman Nizar (24) attempted to hold the innings together but fell to Jain, his push producing an edge that was eventually snaffled by Rajat Patidar at gully after rebounding off silly point. Once Nizar departed, the innings folded quickly. Jain, who had taken 5 for 84 against West Zone in the semifinal, repeated the feat with another five-for. In contrast, Central’s openers Danish Malewar (28*) and Akshay Wadkar (20*) looked composed. They battled both pace and spin with calmness, building an unbeaten 50-run stand. Malewar impressed in particular, striking two boundaries off Gurjapneet Singh in one over.

While South stumbled through a day of poor shot selection and uncertain play, Central’s confident start highlighted the massive gap between the sides, leaving them firmly in command heading into day two.