Duleep Trophy 2025, SZ vs NZ: N Jagadeesan stars as South Zone post huge first-innings total on Day 2

South Zone were eventually bowled out for 536 in 169.2 overs on Day 2 after being asked to bat first by North Zone captain Ankit Kumar. The Mohammed Azharuddeen-led side started from the overnight score of 297/3.

Jagadeesan and Azharuddeen were the overnight batters, resuming from scores of 148 and 11, respectively. Anshul Kamboj gave North Zone a great start as he picked up the wicket of the South Zone captain with the second delivery on Day 2.

However, the experienced Ricky Bhui joined Jagadeesan in the middle, and the duo added 87 runs off 194 balls. As South Zone were cruising towards the 400-run mark, Nishant Sindhu, who was the most impressive bowler on Day 1, sent Bhui packing for a 131-ball 54.

Jagadeesan was well on course to slam a double century, but he was unfortunately run out on 197. Sindhu was once again in the action as he effected the dismissal. The Tamil Nadu wicketkeeper-batter faced 352 balls during his marathon innings and hit 16 fours and two sixes.

Salman Nizar got himself a start but couldn’t capitalise. Tanay Thyagarajan, however, showcased his batting skills, scoring 58 off 116 deliveries. Fast bowler Gurjapneet Singh also showed commendable resilience with the bat, scoring 29 off 81 balls.

Sindhu took the final wicket of the South Zone innings, which was of Vasuki Koushik. The Nisar-born finished with figures of 5/125 in 47.2 overs. Kamboj accounted for two wickets, while Mayank Dagar and Sahil Lotra chipped in with a wicket apiece. Ankit Kumar used seven bowlers, trying to spread the workload on a belter of a pitch at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground in Bengaluru.

South Zone will be pleased with the first-innings total of 536. The North Zone batters will have their task cut out as they will begin their attempt to take a first-innings lead over the next couple of days in the semi-final clash.

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