With this outcome, South Zone arrange a repeat of the 2022 title conflict in opposition to defending champions West Zone within the much-anticipated ultimate.
Chasing a goal of 215 runs, South Zone discovered themselves in a commanding place due to the aggressive knocks performed by Mayank Agarwal (54 runs off 57 balls) and skipper Hanuma Vihari (43 runs off 42 balls).
However, the tempo trio of Harshit Rana, Baltej Singh, and Vaibhav Arora orchestrated well timed breakthroughs for North Zone. Captain Jayant Yadav snared the prized wicket of Agarwal, inflicting a momentary setback on South Zone’s pursuit of victory.
Rain interruptions performed a major position within the match, with the longest break lasting roughly two hours, simply earlier than the ultimate session. At that time, South Zone required 32 runs with Ricky Bhui (34 runs off 29 balls) and Tilak Varma (25 runs off 19 balls) in full movement.
With 5 wickets nonetheless intact, South Zone had one foot within the ultimate. However, there was an air of tension as they have been conscious that North Zone would progress to the ultimate as a result of their three-run first-innings lead if additional play was not doable.
Fortunately, play resumed, setting the stage for extra drama. Rana and Baltej struck essential blows, leaving South Zone in a precarious place at 213/8, having misplaced 4 wickets for simply 22 runs.
Amidst the stress, spin-bowling all-rounder Sai Kishore, who had earlier impressed with figures of three/28 to dismiss North Zone for 211 of their second innings, took on the position of the finisher. Under immense strain, he remained unbeaten on 15 runs, together with two essential sixes, finally guiding South Zone to an exhilarating victory.
The ultimate day started with South Zone resuming their innings at 21/0, and Agarwal wasted no time in accelerating the scoring. However, North Zone skipper Yadav’s bowling change introduced concerning the dismissal of Sai Sudharsan (17 runs), ending the opening partnership of 44 runs. Agarwal’s scoring price slowed down as Arora struck once more, dismissing Samarth R for 5 runs, reigniting North Zone’s hopes.
Nonetheless, Agarwal and Vihari shifted gears, launching a counterattacking method that yielded 59 runs in simply 40 deliveries. Just because it appeared like South Zone had firmly seized management, Yadav dismissed Agarwal after he accomplished his half-century. In a fast succession of occasions, Vihari too fell, failing to capitalise on his promising begin.
With the darkish clouds looming, Ricky Bhui and Tilak Varma assumed an aggressive stance and quickly decreased the goal to beneath 50 runs. However, rain interrupted the proceedings as soon as once more simply earlier than the tea break, with South Zone requiring 32 runs for victory.
Harshit Rana resorted to game-delaying ways amidst the unpredictable climate, making an attempt to thwart South Zone’s progress. The scenario turned tense as Bhui and Varma departed in consecutive overs with out including to the whole, leaving South Zone simply 24 runs in need of the goal. Rana’s supply induced an edge, and Prabhsimran Singh accomplished the dismissal behind the stumps.
The seventh wicket fell when Rana compelled a nick from Washington Sundar. KV Sasikanth struck a six off Rana however was quickly dismissed by Baltej Singh. With the North Zone gaining momentum, Vijaykumar Vyshak offered some resistance, surviving three deliveries from Baltej. However, it was the 26-year-old Sai Kishore who sealed the victory with a six off Jayant Yadav, bringing an finish to an exhilarating contest.
Brief scores: North Zone 198 and 211. South Zone 195 and 219/8; 82 overs (Mayank Agarwal 54, Hanuma Vihari 43, Ricky Bhui 34, Tilak Varma 25, R Sai Kishore 15 not out). South Zone received by two wickets.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com