Duleep Trophy 2025, SZ vs NZ: Shubham Khajuria's unbeaten ton rescues North Zone

North Zone trail by 258 runs against South Zone at the end of Day 3 of the first semi-final of the Duleep Trophy 2025 at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground in Bengaluru. North Zone registered 278/5 after 79 overs. South Zone, who amassed 536 runs, still have 258 runs to play with in what promises to be an enthralling final day.

Gurjapneet Singh struck twice early on in the day to get rid of skipper Ankit Kumar (6 off 9) and Yash Dhull (14 off 13) while MD Nidheesh trapped a well-set Ayush Badoni 40 off 57). By the time Lunch was taken, North Zone had got to 115/3 in 32 overs. 

Shubham Khajuria brought up his 26th First-Class fifty off 107 balls in the second session. The left-right pair of Nishant Sindhu and Khajuria settled in nicely in the post-Lunch session. Sindhu, who had picked up a five-wicket haul in South Zone's innings, raced to an unbeaten 68. Coming into the third session, a slight spell of rain paused proceedings.

Shift in momentum as Central Zone look poised for finals

Also Read

Shift in momentum as Central Zone look poised for finals

Khajuria, who was batting on 97, had to wait a while before getting to his ton. The third session had to be extended due to the rain stoppage. The partnership was finally broken by Gurjapneet as Sindhu departed for 82 off 148 after playing an upper-cut to substitute fielder Shaik Rasheed. Kanhaiya Wadhawan was the fifth wicket to fall. The wicketkeeper-batter had to head back after getting run-out for a three-ball duck.