Second successive day abandoned, Chand ruled out

South Zone 33 for 2 (Gautam 8*, Aparajith 0*) v North Zone
Scorecard

Persistent rain over the last few days made the outfield unfit for play at Nehru stadium in Kochi forcing the fourth day of the Duleep Trophy final between North Zone and South Zone to be abandoned without a ball being bowled. This was the second successive day and third in the match to be lost without any play because of rain.

North Zone sustained further damage as opener Unmukt Chand journeyed back to Delhi after contracting dengue fever. Chand is the second batsman from the side to fall ill after Gautam Gambhir complained of fever on the second day and left for Delhi just before the start of play.

Play is scheduled to begin 15 minutes early on the fifth day, but prospects look dim with 50% chance of rain predicted. The match could be extended into the reserve day and if no side can secure a victory or a first innings lead by then, the trophy will be shared.

Only 10 overs were possible, on the second day, during the course of the entire match and South Zone were in the process of building a foundation, but their efforts were hampered when they lost the openers, KL Rahul and captain Abhinav Mukund, in the space of three overs. On the stroke of Mukund's wicket at 33 for 2, play was called off due to bad light.