Duleep Trophy 2023: Defending champion West meets a strong South Zone in the final

A little under a year ago, West Zone overcame a first-innings deficit to defeat South Zone in the final of the Duleep Trophy at Coimbatore. The two teams meet once again in the tournament final, with South Zone keen to settle scores in this rematch.

A little under a year ago, West Zone overcame a first-innings deficit to defeat South Zone in the final of the Duleep Trophy at Coimbatore.

The two teams meet once again in the tournament summit clash, with South Zone keen to settle scores in this rematch.

It will not be a straightforward task, as the power-packed West batting line-up wears an intimidating look. It will take a great effort from South to subdue the likes of Suryakumar Yadav, Cheteshwar Pujara, Prithvi Shaw, Priyank Panchal and Sarfaraz Khan.

Pujara, back to domestic duties after being dropped from the India Test squad, came good with a typically measured century against Central Zone in the semifinal.

Suryakumar showed glimpses of his destructive abilities with a 58-ball 52 in that outing as well.

The bowling attack is spearheaded by left-arm pacer Arzan Nagwaswalla, who picked up five wickets in the Central Zone first innings.

South entered the final on the back of a tense two-wicket win over North Zone in the semifinal held at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. South captain Hanuma Vihari was pleased that the final is being held at the same venue.