NEW DELHI: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s aggressive cameo, backed by fiery spells from Mohammed Shami and Mukesh Kumar, helped East Zone storm into the Duleep Trophy final with a four-wicket win over defending champions Central Zone on Tuesday.The 15-year-old Sooryavanshi made a valuable contribution of 40 off 43 balls as East Zone chased down a target of 159 on a turning pitch on the third day of the semifinal.East, winners of the tournament in the 2012-13 season, will face either South Zone or North Zone in the final at Chepauk from September 6.
Sooryavanshi provides early spark before dramatic dismissal
Chasing 159, East needed a steady start as the pitch increasingly aided the spinners. Sooryavanshi initially adopted a cautious approach, scoring his first 15 runs from 30 balls.But once he found his rhythm, the left-hander shifted gears spectacularly. His next 25 runs came from just 13 deliveries, featuring another six and three boundaries.His opening partner Abhimanyu Easwaran was more fluent initially, including a six off off-spinner Saransh Jain over long-on, while Sooryavanshi struggled to find the same freedom against spin.The teenager, however, came alive when Yash Thakur was introduced into the attack. Having already hammered the pacer for four fours and two sixes in the first innings, Sooryavanshi again went after him, smashing three fours and a six in the 14th over.But his attacking approach also brought about his downfall. Sooryavanshi fell in the same over when Rajat Patidar completed a stunning running catch off Thakur.His dismissal suddenly changed the mood of the chase, with East losing wickets at regular intervals. Harsh Dubey then struck twice in successive deliveries, removing Kumar Kushagra and Anukul Roy to leave East at 124 for five.
Shami, Mukesh dismantle Central before Kishan finishes chase
Earlier, Central resumed their second innings at 45 for three but suffered a dramatic collapse in the extended first session. They lost their remaining seven wickets to be bowled out for 158.Shami and Mukesh were the chief destroyers, exploiting variable bounce and the assistance available to the bowlers. Shami finished with 3/56, while Mukesh claimed 4/44 to complete a seven-wicket haul in the match.Mukesh was subsequently named Player of the Match, providing a timely boost to the India seamer who has been out of favour.Central briefly threatened to stretch the chase when Dubey and Arshad Khan added 43 for the ninth wicket, taking their side beyond 150. But East held their nerve to complete the victory.Ishan Kishan then produced a composed 39 not out from 41 balls to guide East home with minimal further trouble.“For a personal point of view, and not only me, the entire team members are looking forward to playing in the final. It will be heartening if we can go on and win that title,” Easwaran said after the match.
