CHENNAI, September 7: East Zone captain Ishan Kishan produced a sensational batting display in the Duleep Trophy 2026 final against South Zone, smashing his maiden double century in the tournament and eventually reaching 250 before retiring hurt due to cramps.
Kishan completed his double hundred in 270 balls, hitting 26 fours and two sixes at the time of reaching the landmark. He then accelerated dramatically to reach 250 from just 301 deliveries, finishing his innings with 27 fours and seven sixes.
Kishan Turns Overnight Century Into Massive 250
Kishan resumed Day 2 after finishing the opening day unbeaten on 111, with East Zone already strongly placed at 385/4.
The left-hander continued to dominate South Zone’s attack, bringing up his 150 before advancing steadily towards the double-century mark.
His major milestones included:
- Fifty in 71 balls
- Century in 122 balls
- Double century in 270 balls
- 250 in 301 balls
- 27 fours and seven sixes in his 250-run knock
The innings provided East Zone with a commanding platform in the title clash.
Kishan Retires Hurt After Reaching 250
After completing his double century, Kishan shifted gears and attacked an increasingly tired South Zone bowling unit.
He raced from 200 to 250 before cramps forced him to leave the field retired hurt.
Because he retired hurt rather than being dismissed, Kishan could potentially return to bat later in the innings if required and if physically fit.
East Zone Crosses 600 in First Innings
Kishan’s marathon innings helped East Zone move beyond the 600-run mark on Day 2, putting South Zone under enormous pressure in the final.
Several East Zone batters made major contributions, including:
- Ishan Kishan – 250 retired hurt
- Kumar Kushagra – 101 off 132 balls
- Shikhar Mohan – 85
- Abhimanyu Easwaran – 72
Kushagra and Kishan also shared a major partnership that further strengthened East Zone’s control of the contest.
Kumar Kushagra Adds Century to East Zone Dominance
Wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra provided excellent support to his Jharkhand teammate, converting his overnight half-century into a hundred.
Kushagra made 101 from 132 deliveries, including eight fours and five sixes, before being dismissed by Tripurana Vijay.
His partnership with Kishan effectively prevented South Zone from making the early breakthroughs they desperately needed on Day 2.
Major Duleep Trophy Final Milestone for Kishan
Kishan’s double century also placed him among a select group of batters to have produced a 200-plus score in a Duleep Trophy final.
The achievement becomes particularly significant because it came in a title match while Kishan was leading East Zone as captain.
Kishan also crossed the 4,000-run mark in first-class cricket during the innings, adding another personal milestone to an exceptional day with the bat.
Not Kishan’s First First-Class Double Hundred
While some reports initially described the innings as Kishan’s maiden first-class double century, the wicketkeeper-batter had previously scored 273 for Jharkhand against Delhi in the 2016–17 Ranji Trophy.
Therefore, the 250 against South Zone is his first double century in the Duleep Trophy, rather than the first of his overall first-class career.
Strong Run in High-Pressure Matches Continues
Kishan’s latest performance adds to an impressive sequence of innings in important knockout and final matches.
He had scored a 49-ball 101 against Haryana in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final last season, finishing that campaign with 517 runs, including two centuries and two half-centuries.
His performances across domestic cricket and international limited-overs cricket have kept him firmly in contention at the highest level.
East Zone Takes Command of Duleep Trophy Final
With Kishan’s 250 leading the way and multiple other batters making substantial contributions, East Zone established a dominant first-innings position against South Zone.
The massive total has placed significant pressure on South Zone as the contest progresses, while Kishan’s captain’s knock has emerged as the defining performance of the final so far.
source – ANI / The Indian Express
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