WATCH: Sudip Gharami’s stunning catch dismisses Chama Milind in Duleep Trophy 2026 Final

  • September 9, 2026

The East Zone team maintained their stronghold in the 2026–27 Duleep Trophy Final match against South Zone at Chennai’s M. A. Chidambaram Stadium. Following a colossal first-innings total of 708 runs, East Zone dismissed South Zone for 336 runs, establishing a substantial lead of 372 runs.

Earlier, South Zone displayed strong defiance, highlighted by Devdutt Padikkal‘s contribution of 62 and a gritty 99 from Tilak Varma. Nevertheless, despite a vital stand built by Varma and Chama Milind, East Zone managed to find the vital breakthrough and swiftly wrapped up the innings.

Shikhar Mohan secures the vital wicket

Milind was instrumental in South Zone’s bid to narrow the margin, contributing a 68-delivery 43 that featured seven fours. Batting with Varma, he shored up the lower order under immense pressure. However, the resistance was ended when Shikhar Mohan struck on the third delivery of the 99th over.

Delivering a full ball that swung inward, Mohan enticed Milind to attempt a front-foot drive. The shot resulted in a low toe-edge heading towards the short leg region. Diving swiftly to his right, Sudip Gharami took a spectacular low catch to terminate Milind’s resilient stay at the crease.

Watch the video clip here:

South Zone dismissed for 336 despite Tilak Varma’s resilient innings

Once Milind departed, Varma was left stranded with the tail-enders, and South Zone’s innings quickly folded. The South Zone skipper had previously anchored the batting side with a stellar 99 off 211 deliveries, which featured a key 78-run stand with Milind. Heartbreakingly, Varma was dismissed just one run shy of his century when off-spinner Kounain Quraishi took a return catch. Ultimately, South Zone was bundled out for 336 in 107.3 overs, providing East Zone with a massive first-innings advantage of 372 runs.

Choosing not to enforce the follow-on, East Zone came out to bat for their second innings. Although Mohammed Siraj and Tripurana Vijay claimed early wickets, Ishan Kishan and Shikhar Mohan restored stability, guiding the team to 50/2 after 15 overs. With an accumulated lead of 422 runs and limited time left in this five-day summit clash, East Zone firmly holds the upper hand. According to tournament regulations, should this match culminate in a draw, East Zone’s massive first-innings lead will guarantee them the Duleep Trophy title.