East Zone strengthened their position against Northeast Zone on the first day of the Duleep Trophy quarter-finals, thanks to brilliant centuries from Sudip Gharami and Shahbaz Ahmed. At stumps, East Zone scored 355 for 6. However, young opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi failed to make an impact in the red-ball format, scoring just 8 runs.

Duleep Trophy 2026: Centuries from Sudip Gharami and Shahbaz Ahmed strengthen East Zone, Vaibhav Suryavanshi dismissed for 8

Gharami and Shahbaz added 150 runs to help the team recover from the initial setbacks.

East Zone got off to a shaky start.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi (8) hit a boundary and a cover drive early in the innings, but mistimed a back-of-length delivery from Manipur pacer Bishworjit Konthoujam and was caught at gully. Abhimanyu Easwaran (15) followed soon after.

After early setbacks, Kumar Kushagra (55) and Sudip Gharami (146) added 92 runs for the third wicket. The team appeared to be in trouble at one point after Ishan Kishan and Virat Singh were dismissed cheaply in the middle order. Gharami and Shahbaz Ahmed (100) then added an unbroken 150-run partnership for the sixth wicket to take the team past 350.

North Zone vs West Zone: Anshul Kamboj’s fifty

In another quarterfinal match, North Zone’s first innings was bundled out for 251. Anshul Kamboj (60), Ayush Badoni (51), and Ayush Doseja (42) made useful contributions.

West Zone spinner Tanush Kotian and fast bowler Tushar Deshpande took four wickets each. At the close of play, West Zone were 31 for two in their first innings.

Ground Report: Challenges for Vaibhav in red ball cricket

All eyes were on Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a 13-year-old young batsman from Bihar, but this match made it clear that he needs to refine his technique in the more restrained environment of first-class cricket.

His inability to control balls going outside off was the main reason for his dismissal.

What’s next: Day 2 strategy

On the second day, East Zone will be looking to take their first innings past 400, while North East Zone will be looking to bounce back by taking the remaining four wickets as soon as possible.