The Piyush Chawla led Central Zone eased into the Duleep Trophy Final overcoming South Zone based on their first innings lead. The fourth and final day’s play at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai saw Central Zone resume their second innings at 378 for 5 to take it to 530 for 8 declared. Overnight centurion Robin Bist finished his knock with a score of 160 (from 268 balls with 21 fours). Bowling all-rounders Bhuvneshwar Kumar (85 from 213 balls with 12 fours) and Skipper Piyush Chawla (53 from 72 balls with 7 fours and a six) scored half centuries.
South Zone needing an impossible 641 to win finished the match in a stalemate at 152 for 2 in 39 overs. Skipper S Badrinath opening the batting helped himself to an unbeaten 58 from 117 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes.