Ishan Kishan-Led East Zone Clinch Duleep Trophy After 13 Years Following Draw in Final
East Zone clinched the Duleep Trophy 2026 title, ending a 13-year wait after their final against South Zone ended in a draw, winning on a crucial first-innings lead. Ishan Kishan was instrumental, smashing a double hundred and an 80, while Md Kounain Quraishi also shone with an unbeaten century in the second innings for East Zone.
East Zone has triumphed in the Duleep Trophy 2026, securing the coveted title after a 13-year wait. The final clash against South Zone at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, which commenced on Sunday, September 6, ended in a hard-fought draw. East Zone ultimately emerged victorious by virtue of their significant first-innings lead, a result that sparked jubilant celebrations among the team. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Ishan Kishan Applaud Tilak Varma After Heartbreaking Dismissal on 99 in Duleep Trophy Final 2026.
East Zone Win Duleep Trophy 2026
East Zone Match Drawn East Zone took first innings lead (Winners) #EZvSZ #DuleepTrophy #Final Scorecard:https://t.co/eU9RW0CK6F
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) September 10, 2026
Ishan Kishan's Batting Masterclass
The cornerstone of East Zone's emphatic victory was the exceptional performance of their star wicketkeeper-batsman, Ishan Kishan. Dubbed the 'poster boy' of the game, Kishan played a pivotal role, crafting a majestic double hundred in the first innings and following it up with a vital 80 in the second. His dominant displays effectively took the game away from South Zone, setting a formidable foundation for East Zone's triumph.
Dominant First Innings Sets the Tone
East Zone's formidable first-innings total of 708 runs proved insurmountable for South Zone. This colossal score was crucial in establishing the unassailable first-innings lead that ultimately decided the championship. South Zone, in response, managed to post 336 runs in their first innings.
Second Innings Declaration and Quraishi's Heroics
With a substantial lead in hand, East Zone declared their second innings at 388 for 7. Anchoring this innings was another impressive century, this time from East Zone's Md Kounain Quraishi, who remained unbeaten on 116 runs from 188 balls. He was ably supported by Anukul Roy, who scored 64 runs off 112 deliveries before being caught by Devdutt Padikkal. The partnership between Quraishi and Roy, which reached 150 runs, further solidified East Zone's unassailable position. Ishan Kishan Scores Double Century During Duleep Trophy 2026 Final.
A Historic Win
The declaration effectively sealed the draw and the title for East Zone. The final moments saw the East Zone team in a joyous huddle, celebrating a thoroughly deserved victory. Ishan Kishan and Vaibhav were seen breaking into a jig, taking a lap around the ground to wave to the spectators, marking a memorable end to their 13-year wait for the Duleep Trophy.
This triumph highlights the depth of talent within the East Zone squad and their ability to perform under pressure, setting a high benchmark for future domestic tournaments.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 10, 2026 02:23 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
