Within the summit conflict of the Duleep Trophy 2025, Central Zone spinner Kumar Kartikeya produced a shocking supply to dismiss South Zone captain Mohammed Azharuddeen. Bowling on center and leg stump, Kartikeya’s supply turned sharply and crashed into the highest of off stump, leaving Azharuddeen surprised and setting the tone for Central Zone’s dominance on the BCCI Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru.
Kumar Kartikeya and Saransh Jain break the spine of South Zone batting unit
Opting to discipline first after profitable the toss, Central Zone benefited early from Kartikeya’s left-arm spin and sharp flip. He claimed 4 essential wickets – Mohd. Azharuddeen, opener Mohit Kale, Smaran Ravichandran and Gurjapneet Singh – dismantling South Zone’s prime and center order.
I.C.Y.M.I
An absolute Magnificence 😮
Kumar Kartikeya produced a cracker to dismiss South Zone captain Mohd. Azharuddeen 👌
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/unz0hJ5yJ6#DuleepTrophy | #Closing | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/vYFUUUeX4q
— BCCI Home (@BCCIdomestic) September 11, 2025
Nothing however stress rained down as Sransh Jain, one other left-arm spinner from Central Zone, joined the celebration. Weekly breakthroughs got here when he eliminated Ricky Bhui, Salman Nizar, Ankit Sharma, Andre Siddarth and Nidheesh additional deepening South Zone’s predicament and inserting Central Zone in a commanding place.
South Zone obtained all out for a paltry 150 of their first innings.
Additionally WATCH: Rajat Patidar takes a never-seen-before catch in Duleep Trophy 2025 closing between South Zone and Central Zone
South Zone and Central Zone: Street to the Duleep Trophy 2025 closing
South Zone, led by Azharuddeen, had proven resilience of their semifinal, overcoming North Zone due to a commanding first-innings lead of 175 runs – sufficient to achieve the ultimate regardless of the match ending in a draw.
Central Zone likewise paved their solution to the ultimate with a first-innings lead over West Zone, giving them momentum and confidence to deploy their bowling assault.
Central Zone’s determination to discipline first has already paid dividends. Their spin-heavy assault, led by Kartikeya and supported by Jain, framed a collapse that South Zone did not counter. With the ball spinning sharply on Bengaluru’s floor, these bowlers exploited the situations expertly. Azharuddeen’s dismissal was symbolic of Central Zone’s intelligent techniques.
Additionally READ: Asia Cup 2025 – Sanjay Manjrekar hilariously mocks Kuldeep Yadav after his match-winning bowling in opposition to UAE
