Ishan Kishan's 270-run blitzkrieg leaves South Zone a mountain to climb on Day 2

Ishan Kishan's monumental 270 powered East Zone to a massive 708 on Day 2 of the Duleep Trophy final, leaving South Zone with a mountain to climb after a punishing 163 overs in the field.Ishan Kishan scored 270 in the Duleep Trophy final. (Image: PTI)Brief Score: East Zone (708 all-out in 163 overs) at Stumps on Day 2 in Chennai vs South Zone. Ishan Kishan (270), Kumar Kushagra (101).A monumental 270 from captain Ishan Kishan propelled East Zone to a commanding 708 on Day 2 of the Duleep Trophy final, leaving South Zone facing a daunting battle to remain in contention.Across 163 overs, East Zone converted an already strong overnight position into complete dominance, with Kishan producing the defining innings of the match. Kumar Kushagra's attacking century and valuable contributions from the lower order ensured South Zone's bowlers were kept on the field for virtually two full days in the Chennai heat.Duleep Trophy Final: Day 2: Highlights By the time the final wicket fell, East Zone had crossed the psychological 700-run mark and seized complete control of the contest. South Zone now face the difficult task of responding to a colossal first-innings total against a considerably fresher bowling attack.KISHAN LEADS FROM THE FRONTKishan was the undisputed star of the day, delivering a marathon 270 off 334 balls in an innings that combined patience, authority and sustained aggression. The left-hander struck 30 fours and seven sixes, ensuring East Zone continued scoring at a healthy rate despite the sheer length of the innings. The physical demands of his knock became evident after he crossed 250, with severe exhaustion forcing the East Zone captain to retire hurt temporarily. However, Kishan returned to the crease later in the innings and continued his remarkable stay before eventually falling for 270.His dismissal finally brought an end to one of the most significant innings of the domestic season, with Kishan caught by Smaran Ravichandran off Tripurana Vijay. By then, however, the damage had already been done.Kishan's innings was particularly important because it prevented South Zone from finding any sustained momentum. Every time the bowlers appeared capable of slowing East Zone's progress, the captain found a way to reassert control.KUSHAGRA JOINS THE PARTYPartnering his captain through the opening sessions was Kumar Kushagra, who produced a sparkling 101 off just 132 deliveries. The young wicketkeeper-batter provided the ideal attacking complement to Kishan's marathon effort, striking eight fours and five sixes.Together, the two shared a crucial 230-run partnership for the fifth wicket, a stand that effectively pushed South Zone out of contention before the innings entered its latter stages. Kumar Kushagra whipped out a violin celebration in the Duleep Trophy final. (Image: PTI) Kushagra attacked whenever the bowlers attempted to settle into defensive lines, maintaining pressure on an already overworked attack. His innings eventually ended when he was caught by Chama V Milind off Tripurana Vijay, but by then the partnership had placed East Zone firmly in control.SOUTH ZONE BOWLERS TOILFor South Zone's bowling attack, the second day was an exercise in endurance. India pacer Mohammed Siraj found little assistance from a flat and unresponsive surface, going wicketless across 25 overs while conceding 140 runs.The workload fell heavily on the spin department. Off-spinner Tripurana Vijay bowled a mammoth 42 overs and emerged as South Zone's most successful bowler, finishing with figures of 4 for 180. Vijay eventually accounted for both Kushagra and Kishan, but the breakthroughs came after East Zone had already established a massive advantage.Leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal was similarly asked to shoulder a heavy workload, sending down 42 overs for two wickets. Chama V Milind contributed two wickets from 21 overs, while Shaik Rasheed picked up the wicket of Anukul Roy.LOWER ORDER PUSHES EAST PAST 700Even after the two major centuries were brought to an end, South Zone found no immediate relief.Anukul Roy produced a composed 45 off 98 balls, adding further stability to the middle and lower order before being trapped leg-before by Shaik Rasheed. Md Kounain Quraishi followed with a stubborn 40 off 91 deliveries, frustrating the attack and extending East Zone's innings deeper into the day. Ishan Kishan and Anukul Roy put up a 140-run stand. (Image: PTI) Mohammed Shami then added a brisk 28 off 51 balls, striking four boundaries and helping push the total beyond 700 before the innings finally ended at 708.MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB FOR SOUTH ZONESouth Zone now face an enormous challenge on Day 3. After spending 163 overs in the field, they must quickly reset and find a way to overcome both the physical and mental demands of a punishing two-day stretch.East Zone, meanwhile, will take the field with all the momentum behind them. With Shami and Mukesh Kumar leading the pace attack and a massive first-innings total to defend, they have placed themselves firmly in the driving seat.For South Zone, the immediate objective is simple: survive, rebuild and find a way back into a contest that East Zone have dominated from the moment Kishan took control.- EndsPublished By: Amar PanickerPublished On: Sep 7, 2026 17:59 IST