Duleep Trophy 2025 Semi-Finals Highlights, Day 1 Blog: Gaikwad And Jagadeeshan Shine For Their Team With Stunning 100s

Welcome to the live coverage of the Duleep Trophy 2025 semifinals where West Zone take on Central Zone while South and North Zones go up against each other.

Yashasvi Jaiswal departs on just the third ball of the match. The left-hander has been pinned in front of the stumps by Khaleel Ahmed. A dot, a boundary and a wicket in first three balls of this clash. Jaiswal walks back for four off three.

North Zone have won the toss and have opted to field

South Zone (Playing XI): Tanmay Agarwal, N Jagadeesan(w), Devdutt Padikkal, Mohammed Azharuddeen(c), Mohit Kale, Ricky Bhui, Salman Nizar, Tanay Thyagarajan, Gurjapneet Singh, MD Nidheesh, Vasuki Koushik

North Zone (Playing XI): Ankit Kumar(c), Shubham Khajuria, Yash Dhull, Ayush Badoni, Nishant Sindhu, Kanhaiya Wadhawan(w), Sahil Lotra, Mayank Dagar, Auqib Nabi Dar, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Anshul Kamboj

WZONE 41/2 (13)

Khaleel Ahmed and Deepak Chahar struck early to remove Yashasvi Jaiswal and Harvik Desai respectively. Aarya Desai and Ruturaj Gaikwad are currently stitching together a partnership for the West Zone.

SZONE 34/0 (10)

Solid start so far from South Zone openers. Tanmay Agarwal and N Jagadeesan have both looked good and North Zone bowlers have not been able to make a breakthrough as of now. They have been disciplined though.

WZONE 72/2 (20)

After losing their openers early, West Zone are now in a stable position thanks to Ruturaj Gaikwad and Aarya Desai. A good 62-run partnership so far between the two.

Shreyas Iyer is now in the middle for the West Zone after Harsh Dubey got the third wicket for Central Zone. Meanwhile, Ruturaj Gaikwad has crossed 50 and is looking set for a big one. Iyer's approach will be the thing to look out for right now.

West Zone 116-3 (32 Ov)

At Lunch, South Zone 79/0 (24), Tanmay Agarwal 33(79), N Jagadeesan 30(75)

Tanmay Agarwal and N Jagadeesan are aiming for a big score against a depleted North Zone bowling line-up.

Not a bumper return for Shreyas Iyer as Khaleel Ahmed cleans him up for 25. Iyer has to walk back and Khaleel gets his second. Two big wickets for tall left-arm pacer. First he got Yashasvi Jaiswal and now he dismisses Shreyas Iyer.

West Zone 145-4 (37 Ov)

Century for Ruturaj Gaikward, who has targetted the Central Zone spinners. From 10/2, the CSK batter has steadied the ship and taken his side to over 200, and has now sealed his own century in 131 deliveries.

West Zone 212/5 (50 Ov)

Narayan Jagadeesan has capped off a wonderful innings, opening for South Zone, reaching a well-deserved century in just 184 deliveries to put his side in a commanding position. Eight boundaries and two sixes in that innings.

Meanwhile, his strike partner Devdutt Padikkal has completed his half-century in 67 balls, with seven fours.

South Zone 218/1 (56 Ov)

Ah! That's heartbreaking. Devdutt Padikkal departs just before the Tea Break after scoring 57 runs. Anshul Kamboj provided the much-needed breakthorugh. He breaks the 128-run stand for the second wicket. And with that, Tea Break has been taken.

South Zone 231/2 (59.2 Ov)

150 for Ruturaj Gaikwad. He has been scoring at a strike-rate of more than 90 and that's a troubling sign for the South Zone bowlers. Tanush Kotian is also nearing his half century.

West Zone 315/5 (70 Ov)

Nishant Sindhu Strikes for North Zone, provides team their third wicket. He dismisses M R Kale on 15 runs. However, Jagadeesan still looking confident, nearing 150.

South Zone 260/3 (69 Ov)

You'd never want that. Ruturaj Gaikwads misses his well-deserved double century by just 14 runs. Saransh Jain provided much-needed breakthrough to the team.

West Zone 327/6 (74.1 Ov)

Tanush Kotian (65) and Shardul Thakur (24) steadied the ship after Gaikwad's dismissal till the end of Day 1.

West Zone 363/6 (87 Ov)

Narayan Jagadeesan's unbeaten 148 puts South Zone on top. Devdutt Padikkal also shone with a magnificent half-century. North Zone bowlers looked clueless and will aim to wrap the opponent's batting lineup quickly tomorrow.

South Zone 297/3 (81 Ov)