Tilak Varma's unbeaten 106 gives South Zone 90-run lead in Duleep Trophy semi-final
Captain Tilak Varma scored an unbeaten 106 while Shreyas Gopal made 87 to give South Zone a 90-run first-innings lead over North Zone.
Captain Tilak Varma remained unbeaten on 106 as South Zone took a 90-run first-innings lead over North Zone in their Duleep Trophy semi-final at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. The 219-ball century rescued South Zone after they slipped to 80 for five on the opening day. Shreyas Gopal supported with 87 in a 175-run sixth-wicket stand.
Tilak reached his hundred with a boundary off pacer Gurnoor Brar on day two. South Zone finished at 285 for nine, giving them a significant advantage heading into day three. North Zone will need a substantial response to stay in the match.
The result leaves South Zone well placed to push for a place in the Duleep Trophy final if they can convert their first-innings lead into a substantial second-innings advantage.
CricHubb Take
Tilak's 219-ball century under pressure positions him as the most credible middle-order option for India's 2027 World Cup squad, where the absence of a proven number four has persisted since Shreyas Iyer's injury layoff.