Agarkar blasts West Zone to victory

Ajit Agarkar spurred West Zone to their second successive win in the Deodhar Trophy as they romped to a massive 180-run win against South Zone at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. After winning the toss and choosing to bat, West began steadily but unspectacularly. Half-centuries from Satyajit Parab and Niraj Patel gave the innings backbone, but it was Agarkar's assault at No. 7 that turned the tide in West's favour. Agarkar slammed an unbeaten 70 off a mere 44 balls, hitting seven fours and 3 sixes. His innings pushed West Zone to a healthy 287 for 7 from 50 overs. When South Zone replied, the wheels came off. None of the batsmen could top 31, and a slew of single-digit scores saw them slump to 107 all out. Siddharth Trivedi, the medium pacer, picked up 4 for 40.

North Zone thrashed East Zone by seven wickets at the Moti Bagh Stadium in Vadodara to further their chances of glory in the latest edition of the Deodhar Trophy. After winning the toss and putting the opposition in North's bowlers did the job, hustling East Zone to 146 all out. Only Rohan Gavaskar (48) and Sanjib Sanyal (64) made it to double figures as Amit Bhandari (4 for 35) led the bowlers. The target was never going to pose a threat to a strong batting line-up, and North Zone cantered to victory in less than 37 overs.