Duleep Trophy: West Zone assured of final berth

West Zone were almost assured of a berth in the Duleep Trophy finals after they dismissed visitors North Zone for 294 and took a huge 475 run first innings lead on day three of the Duleep Trophy semi-final match at the Madhavrao Scindia Cricket ground in Rajkot on Thursday.

The hosts, however, did not enforce the follow-on and were 56 for the loss of one wicket in their second essay with Cheteshwar Pujara, who opened the innings with Ajinkya Rahane, batting on 31 along with Parthiv Patel, who was unbeaten on 23 when stumps were drawn for the day.

Earlier resuming at their overnight score of 36 for 3, North Zone lost wickets at regular intervals to be bowled out for 294 in 81.2 overs.

The two overnight batsman Virat Kohli, who top-scored with 56 in as many balls with the help of 10 fours, and Vikramjeet Malik 41 (57b, 4x6) added 95 runs for the fourth wicket before both were dismissed in quick succession by all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja.

With North Zone reduced to 108-5, Rajat Bhatia 53 (113b, 4x6) and Mithun Manhas 49 (97b, 4x8) created hopes of a fightback adding 100 runs for the sixth wicket.

However, the duo departed in space of five overs as Manhas was pouched by Parthiv off Abhishek Nayar, while Bhatia was removed by Jadeja, who ended the day with figures of 3-54.

Speedster Irfan Pathan was the other successful bowler for the hosts claiming three wickets while giving away 69 runs.

West Zone, in their second essay, lost Ajinkya Rahane early off Parvinder Awana, but Parthiv and Pujara ensured that there was no further damage stretching the hosts' lead to 531 at the end of day's play.