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‘Remember the name Vidvath Kaverappa’- Fans react as South Zone beat West Zone by 75 runs to clinch 2023 Duleep Trophy

South Zone won the Duleep Trophy after 13 years.

Jul 16, 2023 1:49 pm

South Zone trumped West Zone by 75 runs and clinched the Duleep Trophy at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. West Zone were bundled out for 222. West Zone resumed proceedings on Day at 182-5 and they needed 116 runs to win. Prinyank Panchal the West Zone captain was in fine nick and was batting close to a hundred. He was the difference between West Zone getting close and South Zone getting their Duleep Trophy title. But as it happened West Zone lost Panchal early.

Sai Kishore was the star for South Zone as he struck thrice to help clean up the lower order and finish the game early for South Zone. Panchal could not get going as he was batting on 92 at the end of Day 4. He fell to Vidwath Kaverappa who got him caught behind with keeper Ricky Bhui taking the catch. It was a dream game for Kaverappa as he picked up 8-104 in the final. The Karnataka pacer had a wonderful tournament as well. He picked up 15 wickets and breathed fire in all matches.

South Zone got a 67-run lead over West Zone in the second innings and set a target of 297 to win

The hitters laboured in bowler-friendly conditions on a sticky pitch at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium as South Zone could only muster 213 in the first innings. West Zone chose to bowl. Hanuma Vihari, the captain, stayed tall and amassed a significant 63 off 130 balls with nine fours. Additionally, Tilak Varma hit 40 off 87 balls, including five fours and a six. The best bowler for West Zone was Shams Mulani, who finished with 3-29 in eight overs.

West Zone in reply could make only 146 in their first innings as Kaverappa ran through the batting lineup like lightning where he picked up 7-53 in his 19 overs. This gave South Zone a handy 67-run lead. Vihari was the leading scorer for South Zone again in the second innings as he scored 42 off 89 balls with seven fours. South Zone could get to 230 which meant that West Zone had to chase 297 to win.

West Zone’s hopes were dashed when South Zone easily defeated them in the second innings thanks to four wickets each from Vasuki Kaushik and R Sai Kishore. In the second innings, alongside Panchal, Sarfraz Khan scored 48 runs off 76 balls, including five fours and a six. But ultimately it was in vain.

Let us take a look at the reactions on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/Agastya_45/status/1680459885044187138?s=20

Congratulations, proud moment south zone 💪💪💪👍👍👍

— Batting bowling (@zenithrace123) July 16, 2023

Hope that Hanuma Vihari is given some respect. After being unceremoniously discarded, despite him and Ash putting their health on the line, he’s a solid example of quiet resilience. Not quite Pujara, but in tough conditions he’s more reliable than some in the current test team.

— Rohit Gupta (@roh1) July 16, 2023

What a proud moment to convene the south zone to win the Duleep trophy after 13 long years. Top effort by the team to beat west zone on 5th day. Congratulations to all south zone Associations and selectors and players. @BCCI @BCCIdomestic @RogerBinnyBCCI @JayShah pic.twitter.com/owElBTYVHd

— Rohan dessai ( Modi Ka Pariwar ) (@iroaann) July 16, 2023