Tilak Varma's unbeaten 51 guides South Zone to Duleep Trophy final
Tilak Varma anchors chase after first-innings century; South Zone reach Duleep final.
Tilak Varma remained unbeaten on 51 from 79 balls as South Zone completed a seven-wicket win over North Zone on the fourth morning in Bengaluru. The chase was set up after South Zone posted a strong first-innings total.
Varma had earlier scored 116 not out from 250 balls after South Zone slipped to 80 for five in the first innings. He said red-ball cricket sits in his blood and he has always loved the longer format.
East Zone, led by Ishan Kishan, will meet South Zone in the final at Chepauk from September 6. Both sides face a tight turnaround before the Afghanistan T20Is begin on September 13.
CricHubb Take
Varma's expressed commitment to red-ball cricket could shift the debate over whether his immediate international future lies in Test cricket rather than limited-overs cricket.