Who won the Duleep Trophy 2026? Ishan Kishan-led East Zone outclass South Zone for 3rd title

East Zone are Duleep Trophy champions after the Ishan Kishan-led side overwhelmed South Zone across five days in Chennai to lift the trophy after a 13-year wait.

They were declared the winners based on a first-innings lead so massive that the final day was essentially a formality.

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The match ended in a draw at 2:10 pm on Thursday, with East Zone having declared their second innings on 388 for seven. They had an overall lead of 760 runs that made any realistic result for South Zone an impossibility from very early on.

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The Duleep Trophy was decided on that first-innings lead of 372 runs, built on the back of their mammoth 708 in the first innings.

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Who won the Duleep Trophy 2026?

East Zone won the Duleep Trophy 2026. They started the final day at 212 for five, and just as they had throughout the entire match, they batted with control and purpose against a South bowling attack that struggled to consistently threaten.

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The foundation for this title was laid in the first innings. Skipper Ishan Kishan's magnificent 270 set the tone, and that proved his credentials for red-ball cricket at the highest level.

Veteran Mohammed Shami, playing his 100th first-class match, brought intensity and class that shamed some younger names. Kumar Kushagra contributed his sixth first-class hundred, while Shikhar Mohan added a fifty of real elegance and poise.

Mohammed Siraj, to his credit, was better in the second innings as he got the ball to nip around and showed significant improvement on pace compared to his first-innings figures of 0 for 140. But he remained a lone wolf, with South's other bowlers offering little support throughout the match.

Brief score: East Zone 708 & 388 for 7 declare in 99.2 overs (Md Kounain Quraishi 116 not out, Ishan Kishan 80; MD Nidheesh 2/28)

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South Zone: 336 in 107.3 overs

Duleep Trophy 2026: Stats

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