Tilak's hundred puts South Zone on top vs North, Sooryavanshi shines

Tilak Varma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi produced contrasting but equally impressive batting displays on a dramatic second day of the Duleep Trophy semifinals, although neither South Zone nor East Zone could secure a decisive advantage. While Tilak's unbeaten century put South in command against North Zone, Sooryavanshi's attacking 92 helped East recover before a late collapse allowed Central Zone to level the contest.

At the end of the day's play, South Zone were 285 for nine against North Zone, giving them a 90-run first-innings advantage after North had been dismissed for 195 on the opening day. Tilak remained unbeaten on 106 from 225 deliveries, having struck seven boundaries. Remarkably, the South captain did not hit his first four until the 154th ball he faced, choosing patience over aggression as wickets continued to fall around him.

South had resumed on 40 for two but were soon in serious trouble at 80 for five. Gurnoor Brar was the chief destroyer, adding three wickets to finish with impressive figures of 4/70.