𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙒𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 🏆

Congratulations to the Ishan Kishan-led East Zone on winning their third #DuleepTrophy title 👏👏#EZvSZ | @ishankishan51 pic.twitter.com/u6D4UvOTEp

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) September 10, 2026

Why East Zone Won Despite The Draw

A drawn final does not automatically mean the trophy is shared or that the previous champions retain the title. Under the competition's first-innings lead rule, the team gaining the advantage after both sides have completed their first innings is declared champion if the final ends in a draw.

East Zone made that rule work decisively in their favour. Their 708-run total, followed by South Zone's 336, created a 372-run cushion that South Zone could not overturn.

The victory also capped a memorable final for Kishan, who scored 270 in East Zone's first innings and added 80 in the second. His 350 runs across the match played a major role in the team's title-winning campaign.