A Shami century adds glow to Duleep Trophy final

The semi-final also marked another landmark for Shami, as he reached 900 wickets in professional cricket. The 36-year-old remains outside the India set-up, making his performances in the domestic season particularly significant as he attempts to reopen the international door.

For the South Zone, however, the immediate problem is considerably simpler: finding a way past him.

Asked ahead of the final about the prospect of facing Shami and the challenge posed by a bowler of his quality, Tilak acknowledged the experience and skill East Zone possesses but welcomed the contest. “It will be a good competition for us, playing against Shami bhai, quality bowling attack. We have seen as well in the last game how he has set up, especially how to set up the batsmen and take that wicket,” Tilak said. “But we know that we are pretty confident for that challenge. So that is why you love the sport. We prepared enough for that, and we are ready to take him on.”

Tilak himself comes into the final with considerable confidence. The South Zone captain was unbeaten in both innings of their seven-wicket semi-final victory over North Zone, rescuing his team with 116 not out after they had slipped to 80/5 in the first innings before making an unbeaten 51 in the successful chase of 181.