Ishan Kishan Latest Entrant: East Zone Batters With Century In Duleep Trophy Final

East Zone centurions in Duleep Trophy final [Source: x]

Duleep Trophy is one of the most prestigious first-class domestic competitions in India. Played between the country’s various regional teams, the tournament has provided a platform for some of the finest domestic cricketers to showcase their skills and leave their mark on the competition.

East Zone, one of the participating teams, has also produced several notable batting performances in Duleep Trophy’s over 60-year-old history. With as many as only six East Zone players converting their innings into centuries in Duleep Trophy finals, here is a look at all six of those players.

1. Gopal Bose (113) vs SZ, Brabourne, 1971

Late Bengal cricketer Gopal Bose became the first East Zone player in history to score a century in a Duleep Trophy final. Back in January 1971, the right-handed batter composed 113 runs against the South Zone bowlers in Brabourne in Mumbai. 

Also Read- Sourav Ganguly Sends Special Message To Vaibhav Sooryavanshi And Co Before Duleep Trophy Final

His innings helped the East Zone line-up conjure 382 in their first innings. Unfortunately for him, the East Zone team lost the final to the South Zone by 10 wickets.

2. Arun Lal (109) vs WZ, Brabourne, 1981

It took more than 10 years for the East Zone team to find its second centurion in a Duleep Trophy final, with Arun Lal emerging as the hero of the 1981 title clash in Brabourne. Batting at number three for the East Zone, the then cricketer made 109 runs to account for exactly a third of his side’s 327-run first innings total.

Much like Gopal Bose, even Arun Lal’s century could not translate into a win for the East Zone, with West Zone bagging the title on the basis of a first innings lead. 

3. Kiran Powar (102) vs NZ, Mohali, 2004

In the final of the 2004 Duleep Trophy season in Mohali, East Zone’s middle-order batter Kiran Powar charted 102 runs off 161 balls with 14 boundaries and a six against the North Zone team.

Despite his century, the East Zone team fell eight runs short of the North Zone at the halfway stage of the match, and eventually lost the title by 59 runs in the end. 

4. Wriddhiman Saha (170) vs CZ, Indore, 2012

After witnessing just three individual centuries in Duleep Trophy finals in more than 50 years, the East Zone team had two batters crossing the triple-digit mark in the space of just 10 months in the year 2012.

The first of those centuries came from Wriddhiman Saha’s blade in the 2011-12 final against the Central Zone in Indore. The Bengal legend struck a match-winning 170 from 245 balls to help the East Zone clinch its maiden Duleep Trophy title.

5. Ishank Jaggi (100*) vs CZ, Chennai, 2012

In October 2012 during the final of the 2012 Duleep Trophy season in Chennai, East Zone’s number four batter Ishank Jaggi spent over five hours at the crease, facing 251 deliveries in the process to score an unbeaten century.

Jaggi’s watchful knock helped East Zone secure a first-innings victory to successfully defend its Duleep Trophy title against the Central Zone. 

6. Ishan Kishan (111*) vs SZ, Chennai, 2026*

East Zone captain and middle-order resolute Ishan Kishan raced to a fiery 111* off just 135 balls by stumps on the opening day of the Duleep Trophy 2026 final against the South Zone in Chennai. 

The blistering wicketkeeper-batter launched 14 boundaries and a huge six in the innings to set up path of a formidable total for his side.

Also Read- Meet Shikhar Mohan, East Zone Batter Who Outshone Vaibhav Sooryavanshi In Duleep Trophy Final