Jagadeesan, Gurjapneet take South Zone to final

Just when North were building a brisk partnership, Nidheesh broke through by bowling out Lotra, bringing South closer to a first-innings lead. It was a length delivery from the Kerala pacer, Lotra came forward to defend, but the ball breached his defence and crashed into the middle stump. The duo had put on 47 runs in 60 balls.

In his next over, Dagar chopped the ball on to give Nidheesh his third wicket. South Zone are two wickets away from first-innings lead

Since the early loss of a wicket, Sahil Lotra and Mayank Dagar have been unsettling the bowlers with their positive intent. They’ve run well between the wickets - even attempting a risky single when Nidheesh tried to run out Lotra off his own bowling.

Dagar has already struck five boundaries in his first 30 balls to move to 29. He hasn’t hesitated to step down the track or take on the short balls, hooking and pulling both Koushik and Nidheesh confidently.

When spinner Thyagarajan was brought into the attack for the first time today, after the 89th over, a mix-up nearly ended the partnership. Lotra tapped one to the leg side and set off for a quick single, but was sent back by Dagar halfway down the pitch. Jagadeesan collected and broke the stumps, but Lotra’s full-stretch dive saved him. A risky approach - but it’s paying off so far.

There comes the first wicket of the day for South Zone in overcast conditions! It's the Goa pacer Vasuki Koushik, who has struck in the second over of the day. Centurion Shubham Khajuria plays down the wrong line from the crease, and sees the ball eventually crashing on to the middle stump. South Zone are firmly ahead.

Hello and welcome to day 4 of the semi-final at BCCI's Centre of Excellence from the outskirts of Bengaluru. It rained here last evening but we are good to start on time. Shubham Khajuria, who is on 128*, takes strikes with Gurjapneet Singh bowling the first over of the day. Crucial session for both teams. North Zone will be looking to cut down the deficit and importantly, not lose early wickets. South Zone are ahead in the game in this context, and if they take the first-innings lead, they will qualify for the final, scheduled to begin on September 11.

Khajuria taps one to the deep third for four and completes his eighth first-class century off 204 balls. It's been a controlled innings from the Jammu and Kashmir batter, which saw him scoring 15 boundaries and one six. Khajuria is a conventional batter, playing to the demands of first-class cricket.

The sky has cleared and the covers are being removed. The umpires are out on the field for an inspection. A super-sopper has come out to the middle to make the outfield match-ready. The official word is play will start at 4.10pm IST, in 10 mins, with the third session being extended to 5.15pm.

A drizzle has stopped the play. Players are off the field with covers coming on. Looks like a passing shower. Khajuria, who is batting on 97, has to wait for a while to reach his century.

The drizzle has gotten heavier now after five mins.

Solid session for North Zone as they cut down the deficit to 323 runs. This is also the first wicketless session in the semi-final, with Khajuria and Sindhu adding 98 runs post lunch. Sindhu, who picked up a five-wicket haul yesterday, has raced his way to 68 not out while Khajuria has remained unbeaten and firm on 79.

The left-right pair of Sindhu and Khajuria has settled in nicely in the second session, with their fourth-wicket stand currently at 73 off 160 deliveries. Gurjapneet bowled two more overs in his second spell after lunch before being replaced by Thyagarajan. From the other end, Koushik and Nidheesh steamed in with pace and accuracy. Although there were a few appeals for lbw and caught behind, the umpire remained unmoved. Khajuria, having converted his start into a fifty, also smashed a six over long-on in the 50th over to accelerate the scoring while Sindhu’s boundaries have mostly come on the leg side.

South Zone, with only one specialist spinner in Thyagarajan, brought in Bhui in an attempt to break the partnership but they are still searching for a wicket under cloudy skies.

The Jammu and Kashmir batter has steadily worked his way to a half-century, reaching the milestone just 20 minutes into the second session. Resuming after lunch on 40, Khajuria picked up a few boundaries - including a flick towards fine leg and a straight drive off V Koushik on consecutive deliveries - to bring up his fifty off 107 balls. This is Khajuria’s 26th first-class fifty.

North Zone have scored at 3.59 runs per over, now placed at 115 for 3. Early strikes from Gurjapneet set the tone for South, and Nidheesh added another wicket to further dent North's progress. While Badoni raced to 40 before being trapped lbw, Khajuria has remained solid at the other end. He is unbeaten on 40, having faced 93 balls and hit six fours. The pitch hasn't broken down as expected for a day 3 surface; there is still something in it for both the bowlers and the batters. If South pick up a few more wickets, they will be in control. However, North will hope that Khajuria and Sindhu can play the long grind.

There's a lot going on in the last half an hour. Badoni and Khajuria took North Zone past 100 in the first ball of the 27th over. In the same over, Nidheesh - who was bowling his second spell - trapped Badoni lbw to bring South back into the game. Badoni had raced to 40 off 57 deliveries, including five clean fours, and had put on 63 runs off 111 balls with Khajuria.

Left-arm spinner Tanay Thyagarajan took a blow to his bowling hand in his fifth over. The physio ran in to check his left hand. After a while, he was good to go. South Zone had already taken a gamble having three fast bowlers and just one spinner in Thyagarajan in the playing XI. Though Bhui can chip in with a few overs, they will be a bowler short if South lose Thyagarajan.

A few overs later, in the 24th, Ayush Badoni hit Salman Nizar on his right ankle, who was standing at silly point. Nizar was seen in pain and laid flat on his back immediately, holding his leg. After physio's inspection, he was carried off to the dugout by two players on their shoulders.

Drinks have been taken. In the first hour, the skies played a game of hide and seek with the sun, mirroring the momentum swings between both teams. North Zone have scored briskly since Yash Dhull's dismissal. Khajuria and Ayush Badoni have been solid, hitting a few boundaries on the offside with neat cover drives. Their partnership currently stands at 33* off 48 deliveries. South Zone introduced spin through Tanay Thyagarajan after 15 overs of pace, following Gurjapneet's seven straight overs.

Yash Dhull, who is coming off a century in the quarter-final, started the innings with a four each against Gurjapneet and Nidheesh and looked set to up the tempo. However, he was caught in two minds at the point of impact, trying to ride the bounce from Gurjapneet, and he didn't do it effectively. The length ball from the left-arm pacer went between his bat and pad and took the top of his middle and off stump.

South Zone have their first wicket and it is the North Zone captain Ankit Kumar, who has to depart. Gurjapneet Singh, in to this third over and sixth of the innings, bowled a length ball around off stumps and Ankit tried to defend and got hit on the pad. There was a huge appeal from South players for LBW. On-field umpire Akshay Totre took his time but eventually raised his finger. Ankit walked off in disappointment.

There was so much going on in the previous over, too, bowled by Nidheesh. the first ball saw Khajuria chasing a wide delivery and the ball going in between the second slip and gully. He flicked second delivery towards fine leg and then drove the last ball of the over towards cover for another four.

North Zone 20 for 1 after 5.1 overs

Hello and welcome to day 3 of the semi-final! It's bright and sunny out there at BCCI's Centre of Excellence. Nidheesh MD opened the bowling for South Zone and there was good carry. Ankit Kumar, the captain of North Zone, got off the mark with a beautiful backfoot punch towards deep backward point. Gurjapneet Singh, the tall left-arm pacer, is operating from the other end. An important session for both teams to set the tone in the second innings.

To recap the second day, Jagadeesan missed out on a double-century, falling for 197, but his knock lifted South Zone to 536. Left-arm spinner Nishant Sindhu starred for North Zone, picking up a five-wicket haul.

That will be Stumps. Left-arm spinner Nishant Sindhu wrapped up the tail and completed his five-wicket haul to skittle South Zone for 536 in 169.2 overs. He has sent down 47.2 overs - the most of number of overs for North Zone across the two days - when rest of the bowlers toiled for wickets. South Zone added 239 runs on day 2, with a few handy half-centuries from Ricky Bhui (54), Tanay Thyagarajan (58) at No. 6 and No. 8 respectively, while Salman Nizar and Gurjapneet Singh also scored 29 each to lift the team.

Earlier in the day, Jagadeesan missed out on a double-century, falling for 197 just before lunch, after a mix-up with Ricky Bhui. While there was movement off the pitch for fast bowlers on the opening day, the pitch eased out on day 2, allowing South Zone batters to comfortably be placed in a strong position.

South Zone have crossed the 500-mark in the first hour of the third session. Thyagarajan and Gurjapneet have looked solid in their eight-wicket stand. The highlight of the session so far was Gurjapneet's six towards deep midwicket, when he went deep in crease and smashed one off Sindhu.

Tea - South Zone 476 for 7 (Jagadeesan 197, Bhui 54, Sindhu 3-98) vs North Zone

South Zone have managed to keep the ship moving. They have added 85 runs in the second session for the loss of two wickets. Ricky Bhui converted his start to a half-century . Tanay Thyagarajan and Gurjapneet Singh are unbeaten on 32 and 11, respectively, with South Zone moving closely to 500-run total. It has become easier to bat on on day 2 but North Zone will be hoping to wrap this up in the next session.

Change of bowler brings a wicket for North Zone. Bhui accelerated after lunch - struck a four down the ground off Kamboj and then hit a four and a six to long-off against Sahil Lotra - to bring up his half century. North Zone brought in Nishant Sindhu for the first time in the second session and he struck immediately as Bhui nicked one to North Zone captain Ankit Kumar off his first delivery of the over.

Lunch - South Zone 391 for 5 (Jagadeesan 197, Bhui 37*, Kamboj 2-57, Sindhu 2-82) vs North Zone

A dramatic end to the first session on Day 2. Jagadeesan, who started the day on 148, looked in control for his double century. South Zone lost Azharuddeen early in the morning and it was Jagadeesan and Bhui who steadied the innings with their 87-run stand that came off 194 deliveries. But North Zone would want to believe that the run-out of Jagadeesan in the penultimate over of the session broke the momentum. They would be hoping for a few quick wickets when the play resumes after lunch. Bhui has looked largely comfortable against spinner Sindhu and Dagar and would be keen to carry forward.

Drama unfolds and Jagadeesan has to depart for 197! A bad mix-up between Bhui and the wicketkeeper. Bhui taps one down the ground to point and Jagadeesan calls for a quick single. Bhui agrees to it initially and then decided not to take the run after seeing the ball being stopped by Sindhu quickly. But by that time, Jagadeesan had charged towards the striker's end. Bhui stands there deep in crease, wanting to save his wicket. Dagar, the bowler, gets the ball back from Sindhu and he quickly dislodges the bails at the non-striker's end. Jagadeesan is visibly frustrated and throws a few words at Bhui in anger. The third umpire confirms that it is Jagadeesan who is dismissed. Unfortunate.

Having started the day on 297 for 3, South Zone have steadily moved past 350. Jagadeesan and Bhui have taken 121 balls to stitch a 50-run stand for the fifth wicket. Barring the two fours and a straight six down the ground from Bhui, the two have taken runs through singles and doubles.

North Zone has been trying to secure another breakthrough since the early fall of the first wicket this morning, focusing on short deliveries aimed at the batters. However, Jagadeesan and Bhui have remained steady, successfully negating the pressure. Jagadeesan even pulled Auqib Nabi twice, one of which found the fine-leg boundary. But the real chance came in the 96th over when Yudhvir Singh, who had replaced Kamboj, bowled a length ball outside off. Jagadeesan edged it thickly to the wide first slip, where Nishant Sindhu dived to his left but fumbled the catch. At that point, Jagadeesan was on 163. Earlier, Kamboj dismissed him off a no-ball when he was batting on 9 on the first day.

Out here on the outskirts of Bengaluru, the Duleep Trophy semi-final feels like a different world. The usual city buzz is replaced by gentle rustling of trees and the soft hum of the flights that take off every few minutes beyond the ground. On this peaceful patch of land, under a clear sky, I welcome you to the coverage of the day 2 of North Zone vs South Zone.

Unlike yesterday where we had a delayed start due to overnight rain, we are on time today. N Jagadeesan has just crossed 150, with Anshul Kamboj starting the proceedings for North Zone. The new ball has been taken after 81 overs. Kamboj has struck early, removing the overnight batter Azharuddeen. Ricky Bhui joins Jagadeesan on the other end now and South Zone will be keen to take this total forward after scoring almost 300 on the first day. Will North fight back with wickets? or Will we see South batters stretching the total? Follow this space to know more.

South Zone 297 for 3 (Jagadeesan 148*, Padikkal 57, Tanmay 43, Sindhu 2-59, Kamboj 1-47) vs North Zone

It has become quite dark all of a sudden. The rain clouds are hovering over the ground and the umpires are seen having a word with players whether to continue. That will be stumps.

N Jagadeesan was the standout performer on day 1, crafting a composed century to guide South Zone to a strong position. After a cautious start - reaching his fifty off 124 balls - Jagadeesan shifted gears post-lunch, accelerating fluently to bring up his hundred off just 60 more deliveries.

He was well supported by Devdutt Padikkal, who added a brisk half-century in a 128-run second-wicket stand that lifted South past 250. While North Zone found a couple of breakthroughs late in the day - including Padikkal at the stroke of tea - they toiled for large parts without much reward. The pitch offered little assistance, and South's batters capitalised.

By stumps, Jagadeesan remained unbeaten on 148, with South Zone on 297 for 3

Slowly but steadily, South Zone have crossed the 250 mark and are eyeing a strong finish to the day. Jagadeesan continues to grind it out, having faced over 200 deliveries. However, North Zone struck after the first hour of the final session, with Nishant Sindhu trapping Mohit Kale lbw. A loud appeal was followed by a swift decision from the umpire. Captain Azharuddeen has now joined the opener at the crease.

South Zone 268 for 3 after 72 overs

Tea - South Zone 231 for 2 (Jagadeesan 110*, Padikkal 57, Tanmay 43, Sindhu 1-38, Kamboj 1-40) vs North Zone

The second session witnessed a flurry of runs as the batters added 152 to the total. Jagadeesan and Devdutt Padikkal both reached well-deserved fifties, showcasing a blend of patience and aggression. Jagadeesan accelerated impressively after his fifty, unleashing powerful strokes including towering sixes and crisp boundaries. Padikkal, meanwhile, played with finesse, finding gaps with precise drives and cuts. Their second-wicket partnership - 128 runs off 168 balls - has firmly taken the innings forward, setting a strong platform for the middle order.

However, at the stroke of tea - the session was extended by half an hour due to a delayed start - Padikkal threw his wicket away, chasing a wide delivery from Kamboj and being caught by the wicketkeeper.

Hundred for Jagadeesan. The highlight of his innings has been the way he accelerated, going from 50 off 124 balls to notch up his century off just the next 60 deliveries. He showcased a blend of power and timing, including a well-placed loft over mid-off for his first boundary after reaching fifty.

On the very next ball, he hammered a powerful straight four, followed shortly by a towering six off left-arm spinner Mayank Dagar that earned applause from his team-mates. Jagadeesan maintained his aggressive strokeplay with another brisk four, this time heaving the ball to the right of mid-on off Sindhu. Soon after, he punished Dagar with a lofted six over long on, and then cut one on the backfoot to the deep third boundary to comfortably move into the 90s.

He slaps one down the ground towards long off and takes a single to complete his half-century, off Sindhu. After a cautious first session, Jagadeesan has picked up the pace in the hour following lunch, scoring some quick runs. So far, he has hit only three fours, with the majority of his runs coming through quick singles and doubles, showing his intent to keep the scoreboard moving.

ICYMI, Jagadeesan spoke to ESPNcricinfo recently, where the batter opened up about his maiden India Test call-up for the England series and how he his hoping to build on recent gains in career more of lows than highs. Read here.

The left-arm spinner finally strikes, in the 32nd over, ending the patient first-wicket partnership that had just crossed the century mark. Tanmay, standing deep in his crease, attempted a sharp cut shot but got a little too close to the ball. The ball sneaked through and crashed into the stumps, bringing an end to his promising innings. He has to depart for 43. In walks, Devdutt Padikkal, another left-hander to join Jagadeesan.

If the first session was about setting up, the second has been about accelerating. The openers have carried their form through lunch and brought up a brisk 100-run stand. Jagadeesan has been especially sharp - picking up a couple of quick twos and unfurling a backfoot punch off Sindhu that oozed timing. He even took on Kamboj with a confident hook shot, signaling the shift in tempo.

Tanmay, meanwhile, tried mixing it up - unveiling a reverse sweep off Sindhu and then surviving an lbw appeal after mistiming a sweep. Bit of risk, but clear intent from both.

The pitch looks to be easing up, and unless the bowlers find something soon, this could be a long grind. The planes aren’t the only things flying past at this ground.

Lunch - South Zone 79 for 0 (Tanmay 33*, Jagadeesan 30*) vs North Zone

The first session belonged to South Zone with openers Jagadeesan and Tanmay taking the side to 79 for no loss in24 overs. Tanmay started off briskly in the first hour with a few easy boundaries after the delayed start but played cautiously as the match progressed. Jagadeesan got a reprieve on 9 when he nicked one to keeper off Kamboj , only to be deemed a no-ball as the bowler had overstepped. The pitch showed some low bounce, with the seam offering a bit of movement off the surface. After 19 overs of pace, North Zone introduced (left-arm) spin through Nishant Sindhu. He bowled three overs before lunch, made Jagadeesan play deep in the crease and appealed for lbw when there was an inside edge. But they are still searching for the first wicket.

North Zone almost had their first breakthrough in the 11th over. Kamboj - in his sixth straight over - bowled a length ball around off stump which forced Jagadeesan, who was on 9, to drive forward. But the batter only managed a thick outside edge, with the North Zone keeper Kanhaiya Wadhawan staying low and collecting the ball cleanly. However, it was signalled not out by the umpire since the bowler had overstepped. Devdutt Padikkal, who was padded up and was about to step on to the field, was sent back.

Openers Jagadeesan and Tanmay have been solid since the start. Left-handed Tanmay, in particular, has been keen on singles but also found two boundaries on the leg side in his first 30 balls. Jagadeesan's first four came off Anshul Kamboj in the seventh over of the innings, a flick towards deep square leg. Auqib Nabi, the fast bowler who picked up four wickets in four balls in the quarter-final, bowled three overs and conceded 13 before being replaced by Yudhvir Singh.

Kamboj has looked the better bowler this morning, teasing the batters with a few deliveries that beat the outside edge. But he hasn't been able to find a breakthrough yet.

North Zone have won the toss and decided to field first after the toss was delayed due to wet outfield. Tanmay Agarwal and N Jagadeesan are the openers for South. Mohit Kale, Salman Nizar and Nidheesh MD are all named in the playing XI.

South Zone: N Jagadeesan, Tanmay Agarwal, Devdutt Padikkal, Mohit Kale, Mohammed Azharudden(capt), Ricky Bhui, Salman Nizar, Tanay Thyagarajan, Gurjapneet Singh, Nidheesh MD, Koushik V

North Zone : Ankit Kumar (capt), Shubham Khajuria, Yash Dhull, Ayush Badoni, Nishant Sindhu, Kanhaiya Wadhavan (wk), Sahil Lotra, Mayank Dagar, Auqib Nabi, Yudhvir Singh, Anshul Kamboj