West Zone seize the initiative

Tanush Kotian and Tushar Deshpande produced a commanding bowling performance as West Zone dismissed North Zone for 251 on the opening day of their Duleep Trophy match at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

Kotian took 4/72 and Deshpande returned 4/57, combining to dismantle North’s batting after the side had moved to a promising 117/2. North subsequently lost seven wickets for 103 runs and slipped to 220/9 before Anshul Kamboj launched an aggressive counterattack.

Kamboj provides late resistance

Kamboj struck 60 from 52 balls, including five fours and five sixes, to lift North beyond the 250 mark. Ayush Badoni also made a fluent 51, while Ayush Doseja contributed 42 before Kotian removed him to begin a decisive phase of the collapse.

Kotian then trapped Kanhaiya Wadhawan leg before wicket and later returned to claim Kamboj, completing an influential four-wicket haul. Deshpande supplied the pace threat by dismissing Badoni and maintaining pressure on North’s middle order.

West lose two before close

West Zone’s reply began positively but ended with the team at 31/2 at stumps. The match remains finely balanced: West’s bowlers have put their side in a strong position, but North’s late lower-order surge ensured they have a competitive total to defend.

“I have that one step (in my mind) — to represent India,” Kotian said. “I have to do better with every opportunity I get.”