The 2022-23 Duleep Trophy ended on Sunday. West Zone registered a massive 294-run win over South Zone, winning its record 19th title. As a result, social media was exultant by the same.
West Zone lashed South Zone by 294 runs, winning the 2022 Duleep Trophy at the SNR College Cricket Ground in Coimbatore on Sunday, as the side completed the formalities before lunch on Day 5. After being set a far-fetched target of 529 runs, South was bowled out for 234, with left-arm orthodox spinner Shams Mulani (4/51) picking up three of the four wickets on the final day. Resuming at 154/6 from Day 4, the South batters Ravi Teja and R Sai Kishore withstood the West bowling attack for closely a couple of hours. Most of the South's experienced batters fell to the pace duo of Atit Sheth and Jaydev Unadkat on Day 4 evening, leaving the side in shambles.
What an effort!!!🤩. After all the struggles,setbacks and tough situations we fought and we did comeback and guess what we came out as a CHAMPION OF DULEEP TROPHY 2022 🏆 ...💪💪proud to be a part of this UNBEATEN team pic.twitter.com/6V6iNgWhaG
— Chetan Sakariya (@Sakariya55)Teja (53) batted with determination and was supported well by spindly Sai Kishore, who kept the bowlers while facing 82 balls, scoring just seven. The duo added 57 runs in 157 balls, handling the West attack with vigilance. While Teja hit three fours and a six, Kishore was pleased in defending.
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Ajinkya Rahane led West Zone become the Duleep Trophy 2022 champions, Jaiswal was the star with terrific 265.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)Medium-pacer Chintan Gaja gave the day's first breakthrough at 203, as Priyank Panchal caught Kishore. Karnataka off-spinner K Gowtham joined Teja and ensured that the West bowlers worked hard for success. The pair added 23 runs, threatening to extend the match beyond the lunch break.
💪 WHAT A COMEBACK! West Zone's brilliant batting earned them a way back despite conceding the first innings lead.
👏 Kunnummal was the lone warrior for South in the fourth innings.
📸 • pic.twitter.com/chKCn0ZjPF
Mulani trapped Teja leg-before after he had struck his half-century. Basil Thampi (0) followed him, caught by Sarfaraz Khan off the same man before Tanush Kotian had Gowtham (17), ending South's opposition. The West amassed 585/4 before declaring its second innings, conceding a 57-run first-innings lead.
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West Zone are the champions of Duleep Trophy - Ajinkya Rahane the captain and Yashasvi Jaiswal the star with the bat. pic.twitter.com/efUqvhkYFy
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)Prolific run-scorer Sarfaraz recorded a fine unbeaten ton (127 off 178). In contrast, Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a monumental 265 in the second innings, setting up the game for Ajinkya Rahane and co. Kerala opener Rohan Kunnummal fought a lone battle, scoring 93, in South's second innings. Meanwhile, Rahane asked Jaiswal to leave the field after opposition batter Teja grumbled about sledging, leading to Jaiswal's several warnings.
Super for becoming Man of the Series of Duleep Trophy 2022. Now Irani Cup 2022 waiting for your outstanding performance
— Saurashtra Cricket (@saucricket)"The way everyone contributed was magnificent. We were just looking to play one game at a time, not overthinking for the future. Excited about the season ahead, first full season after Covid, looking forward to playing for Mumbai," said winning skipper Rahane after the title success.
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Most Duleep Trophy titles :-
19* - West Zone
18 - North Zone
13 - South Zone
6 - Central Zone
2 - East Zone
2 - India Blue
2 - India Red
1 - Elite C
West Zone wins the Duleep Trophy for a record 19th time by beating South Zone by 294 runs in the Final today.
After experimenting with three teams for a few years, the Duleep Trophy returned to the zonal format this season. "I think zonal cricket is very important for those players who have been doing well for their states - Ranji Trophy, Irani Trophy, and Duleep Trophy are very important for picking out Test cricketers for India in the future," added Rahane.
Congratulations 👏West zone on Winning duleep trophy 🏆🤩
Kuddos to the captain Rahane & the entire team 🤍😍🏏
Ps ; Chin up our south zone boys..Well played🙌😇 pic.twitter.com/bbSAf3sp3m
Brief Scores: West Zone 270 & 585/4 declared (Jaiswal- 265, Iyer- 71, Sarfaraz- 127; Sai Kishore- 2/157, Gowtham- 2/235) defeated South Zone 327 & 234 (Kunnummal- 93; Teja- 53, Mulani- 4/51, Unadkat- 2/28, Sheth- 2/29) by 294 runs.
If Unadkat can be trolled for going for runs in the IPL (citing his price tag that he has no control over), talk about him when he performs too!
MOS in the prestigious Duleep Trophy with 13 wkts at 14, SR: 32
349 FC wkts at 23, SR: 47
A red ball LEGEND of Indian FC cricket! pic.twitter.com/SjY7Gz50lw
(With inputs from PTI)