East Zone Reach Duleep Trophy Final After 13 Years, Knock Out Defending Champions Central Zone

East Zone have booked their place in the Duleep Trophy 2026 final, ending a 13-year wait after defeating defending champions Central Zone by four wickets in a gripping semifinal at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

The victory was set up by a superb bowling performance from Mukesh Kumar and Mohammed Shami, while teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi once again provided the spark with the bat.

Central Zone Bowled Out for 158

After both teams finished their first innings on exactly 266, the semifinal was delicately poised.

Central Zone resumed their second innings at 45/3 but quickly collapsed under pressure. Mukesh Kumar produced a brilliant spell, claiming 4/44, while Mohammed Shami added 3/56 as the defending champions were dismissed for just 158.

Mukesh finished with seven wickets in the match and was named Player of the Match.

That left East Zone needing only 159 runs to reach the final.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Provides Another Spark

The 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi once again showed why he is one of the most talked-about young batters in Indian cricket.

After smashing a record-breaking 92 in the first innings, Sooryavanshi scored a quick 40 during the chase. He and Abhimanyu Easwaran put together a 61-run opening partnership, giving East Zone the momentum they needed.

Sooryavanshi’s 92 had already made history earlier in the match. At 15 years and 157 days, he became the youngest player to score a half-century in Duleep Trophy history, breaking a record that had stood for 57 years.

Ishan Kishan Finishes the Job

East Zone did face a few nervous moments during the chase.

After Sooryavanshi’s dismissal, Central Zone’s Harsh Dubey picked up four wickets and reduced East Zone to 124/5, briefly giving the defending champions hope of an extraordinary comeback.

However, Ishan Kishan held his nerve, remaining unbeaten on 39 to guide East Zone across the finishing line. Mohammed Shami was unbeaten on eight as East reached 162/6 in 39.3 overs, winning by four wickets.

First Final Since 2012-13

The victory ends East Zone’s long wait for another Duleep Trophy final.

Their previous appearance came in 2012-13, when they went on to win the tournament. More than a decade later, they now have another opportunity to lift the prestigious domestic trophy.

The result is also particularly significant because Central Zone entered the semifinal as the defending champions.

Final Awaits in Chennai

East Zone will now face the winner of the North Zone vs South Zone semifinal in the Duleep Trophy final.

The final is scheduled to begin in Chennai on September 6, giving East Zone several days to prepare for their biggest match of the tournament.

With Mukesh Kumar leading the bowling attack, Shami providing experience and Sooryavanshi adding fearless aggression at the top, East Zone have emerged as a serious title contender.

After waiting 13 years for another Duleep Trophy final, East Zone are now just one victory away from lifting the trophy once again.