Duleep Trophy final in balance after more rain

More rain on day four of the Duleep Trophy final between East Zone and Central Zone in Chennai meant only 34 overs were possible - in the second half of the day - at the end of which the game was in the balance with Central 74 for 2 in reply to East's 232. As per the regulations, if the first innings' of both teams are not completed by the end of day tomorrow, the match can be played into the sixth day.

Central had the chance to edge ahead, with their openers, Tanmay Srivastava and Vineet Saxena carrying the score to 68 for no loss from the overnight 12 for 0, but East struck two quick blows to claw their way back before stumps was called. First Vineet, batting against left-arm spinner Iresh Saxena, attempted a loft to the mid-on boundary only to be caught on 22. The scoring then slowed, and in the next six overs only six runs were made, before captain Mohammad Kaif also fell to Iresh, leg before.

Srivastava ended the day unbeaten on 44, and had Robin Bist, who was named today in the India A squad for tour game against England, for company.