Ankit Sharma (99, 168b, 13×4, 1×6) and Andre Siddarth (84 n.o., 190b, 7×4) almost scripted an unimaginable comeback for South Zone, however a spate of late wickets allowed Central Zone to maintain a agency grip on proceedings.
On the fourth day of the Duleep Trophy summit conflict on the BCCI CoE Floor (1), Ankit and Siddarth batted for almost 4 hours to create panic within the Central camp. From going through an innings defeat at 222 for six, Ankit and Siddarth offered dogged resistance for 55 overs, handing South an inconceivable lead of 52 runs.
All of it modified when Ankit was dismissed. After blocking a few deliveries from left-arm spinner Kumar Kartikeya, Ankit misplaced the plot and spooned a flighted ball to mid-wicket.
Central’s lengthy watch for a wicket ended, and some overs later, South was dismissed for 426.
On Monday, Central has the simple process of knocking off the 65-run goal.
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South’s hopes of claiming a draw, and even preventing for a win, had been raised when Ankit and Siddarth placed on a 192-run seventh-wicket stand.
Ankit, who made his senior debut for Madhya Pradesh however now plies his commerce for Pondicherry, confirmed constructive intent.
Tamil Nadu teenager Siddarth, only a 12 months into his First Class profession, put his head down and shut store. With a cool thoughts and relaxed manner, the teenager appeared fully comfy in a tricky setting.
Because the hours glided by, the Central staff slowly started to lose perception. Captain Rajat Patidar went on the defensive, spreading the sphere and alluring the simple singles.
Siddarth and Ankit made up for the harm accomplished within the morning session. R. Smaran (67), Ricky Bhui (45), Mohammed Azharuddeen (27) and Salman Nizar (12) all threw away their wickets to present Central the higher hand.
Smaran, particularly, can be disenchanted to have fallen attempting to drive the tempo, sweeping a supply from exterior off stump to the arms of deep square-leg.
Revealed on Sep 14, 2025