3 fast bowlers who impressed in Duleep Trophy 2026 Semi-Finals

The semi-finals of the Duleep Trophy saw two enthralling contests of four-day red-ball cricket which showed the strength of the Indian domestic system. East Zone trumped the defending champions Central Zone in the first semi-final, sealing a four-wicket victory, while last year’s second finalist South Zone secured a dominant seven-wicket win over North Zone.

Both teams’ victorious efforts were led in part by the fast bowlers, who made excellent use of the surfaces at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Ahead of the mouth-watering clash between the East Zone and the South Zone awaiting in the final, here is a look back at the top performers of the semi-finals.

Here are 3 pacers who shone in the Duleep Trophy 2026 semis:

3. Gurnoor Brar (North Zone)

Despite North Zone’s loss in the semi-final, Gurnoor Brar left the match with a much-improved stock among the current crop of fast bowlers. The Punjab man has been making waves in the recent past, becoming a regular feature in India’s ODI squad and even being part of the Test squad in Sri Lanka. Brar’s skill and talent as a hit-the-deck bowler, capable of bowling at high pace, has been taken note of by selectors, who have drafted him in as a potential option for the future. 

Brar finished the match with five wickets, including first-innings figures of 4 for 88 in 23 overs, a brilliant bowling display as the first-change seamer. Brar made good use of his pace, bounce and ability to move the ball both ways, taking four wickets to reduce South Zone to 80 for 5, before they staged a valiant comeback. With the upcoming series to New Zealand set to require a solid pace battery, Brar’s performances could boost his chances of featuring on helpful wickets.

2. MD Nidheesh (South Zone)

Kerala’s MD Nidheesh was one of the major standout bowlers of the semi-finals week, picking up seven wickets for the victorious South Zone side. He was the only bowler to pick up a five-wicket haul in the semi-finals, with figures of 5 for 56 from 16.3 overs. He picked up two wickets in the first innings, one early with the new ball, and one later in the innings.

It was late in the second innings, however, when Nidheesh sprang to life. Making good use of the short-ball ploy and making use of his pace and bounce to dismiss batters with bouncers and short deliveries. His effort spell earned him the best innings figures of the finals week, and he will be looking to put a similar performance in the final.

1. Mukesh Kumar (East Zone)

Mukesh Kumar was the standout player for the East Zone side, which emerged victorious against the defending champions Central Zone. The Bengal pacer picked up figures of 3 for 56 and 4 for 44 in the two innings of the match, making key breakthroughs to bundle the Central Zone side out for just 158 in the second innings.

A metronomic line-and-length bowler, Mukesh made good use of the new ball before taking clusters of wickets in his second spell with a slightly older ball. His scapls formed the backbone of East Zone’s bowlinge efforts and he will be looking to maintain this form against South Zone in the final.