Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal: Ayush Badoni struck a rapid half-century as North Zone reached 308/6 in 75.2 overs, despite East Zone left-arm spinner Manishi claiming 3-63 on day one of the Duleep Trophy quarterfinal at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence on Thursday.
Electing to bowl first, East Zone fast bowlers Mohammed Shami and Mukesh Kumar had little assistance, before Manishi came in to pick three wickets before lunch. Badoni, who hit seven boundaries in his quick-fire knock of 60 balls, was involved in stands of 67 and 61 with Yash Dhull (39) and Nishant Sindhu (47) respectively to take North Zone past 300.
In the morning, with Shubman Gill unavailable due to fever, Ankit Kumar took over as North Zone’s skipper and opened the innings alongside Shubham Khajuria. The duo had a steady start by sharing a 49-run opening partnership, before Manishi triggered a collapse. He first trapped Ankit lbw in the 15th over, before dismissing Khajuria and later Dhull in the same fashion before lunch break arrived.