South Zone emerged as the champions of the Duleep Trophy 2023, showcasing their dominance in a thrilling final against West Zone with a convincing 75-run victory. In pursuit of a target of 298 runs on the final day, West Zone faltered under pressure and was eventually dismissed for 222.
The bowling duo of left-arm spinner Sai Kishore and pacer Vasuki Koushik played instrumental roles in South Zone’s triumph, combining to claim a total of eight wickets. Their skilful spells proved too formidable for West Zone’s batting lineup to handle, leading to their downfall.
This victory held significant meaning for South Zone as they avenged their defeat in the 2022 final against the same opponent, West Zone, where they suffered a crushing loss by a massive margin of 294 runs. The South Zone players were determined to make amends and showcased their exceptional skills and team spirit throughout the match.
The final day started with West Zone captain Priyank Panchal, who resumed his innings on an impressive score of 92, posing a significant challenge to South Zone’s victory aspirations. However, the relentless bowling attack led by Sai Kishore and Vasuki Koushik dismantled West Zone’s batting lineup, leaving them short of the target.
With this remarkable triumph, South Zone secured their 14th Duleep Trophy title, adding another glorious chapter to their rich cricketing history. Their collective effort and exceptional performance with the ball propelled them to a well-deserved victory, cementing their position as the champions of the Duleep Trophy 2023.
