Ayush Badoni’s Masterclass Guides North Zone to Duleep Trophy Semifinal Entry

Ayush Badoni’s brilliant double century steered North Zone into the semifinals of the Duleep Trophy 2025, as their quarterfinal clash against East Zone ended in a predictable draw on the fourth day at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground in Bengaluru. North Zone, starting at 388 for two overnight, batted cautiously to ensure a first-innings lead, eventually posting 658 for four, establishing a mammoth lead of 833 runs before both teams shook hands.

Badoni’s fluent 204 off 223 balls, alongside contributions from Kanhaiya Wadhawan (23*) and Nishant Sindhu (68), was the highlight in a day dominated by batting, leaving East Zone with no realistic chance of a comeback.

Ayush Badoni Shines With a Clinical Double Century

Badoni, starting the day on 56, showcased impeccable timing and patience. He reached his century in 123 balls, celebrating with a simple wave of the bat. His 150-run third-wicket alliance with Ankit Kumar (198) laid the platform for North Zone's second innings. Although denied his second successive double hundred, Ankit Kumar's departure at 198 did not douse the steam, as Badoni kept going strong, finally reaching 200 off a four in 222 deliveries.

Nishant Sindhu and Badoni’s 157-run partnership ensured North Zone surpassed the 600-run mark, consolidating their control over the match.

Match Scorecard: North Zone vs East Zone, 1st Quarter-Final

North Zone 1st Innings – 405 all out (93.2 Ov)

• Shubham Khajuria 26, Ankit Kumar 30, Yash Dhull 39, Ayush Badoni 63, Nishant Sindhu 47, Kanhaiya Wadhawan 76

• Manishi 4/116, Mukhtar Hussain 5/101, Shami 1/100

East Zone 1st Innings – 230 all out (56.1 Ov)

• Utkarsh Singh 38, Sharandeep Singh 6, Sridam Paul 7, Riyan Parag 39, Kushagra 29, Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal 10

• Harshit Rana 4/98, Auqib Nabi 5/85, Mayank Dagar 1/10

North Zone 2nd Innings – 658/4 declared (146.2 Ov)

• Shubham Khajuria 21, Ankit Kumar 198, Yash Dhull 133, Ayush Badoni 204*, Nishant Sindhu 68, Kanhaiya Wadhawan 23*

• Mohammed Shami 3/60, Mukhtar Hussain 1/101

Result: Match drawn; North Zone advances to semifinals on first-innings lead

Strategic Choices and Key Players

North Zone skipper Ankit Kumar ratified the team's conservative strategy, "If we had wished to, we could have gone for the outcome because we were in control. But we did not attempt because we were ahead in the first innings."

Significantly, Mohammed Shami and Mukesh Kumar were kept out of major bowling responsibilities as a result of minor injury, while Auqib Nabi took Man of the Match for his 5-wicket return, including a hat-trick in East Zone's opening innings.

The game showcased the strategic equilibrium of North Zone, with clinical batting paired with economic bowling, securing their comfortable qualification into the Duleep Trophy semifinals, setting stage for thrilling prospects for the tournament's next phase.

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