East Zone claims Duleep Trophy after 13-year wait

East Zone ended their 13-year trophy drought by defeating South Zone in the Duleep Trophy 2026 final, clinching the domestic cricket championship on first-innings advantage. The decisive performance marks a significant milestone for the regional team in India's premier domestic competition.

Captain Ishan Kishan proved to be the standout performer in the final, accumulating 350 runs across two innings with scores of 270 and 80. His dominant batting display provided East Zone with a commanding position that ultimately proved decisive in securing the trophy.

Debutant Mohammed Konan Qureshi also made an immediate impact, recording an unbeaten century in the match. His contribution, combined with Kishan's stellar batting performance, strengthened East Zone's overall position in the final.

Fastbowler Mohammed Siraj demonstrated notable resilience and competitive spirit throughout the encounter, contributing significantly to East Zone's bowling efforts. The combination of strong batting performances and solid bowling displays enabled East Zone to overcome their opponents and reclaim the Duleep Trophy title after their lengthy absence from championship honors.