Shikhar Mohan takes charge for East Zone in Duleep Trophy 2026 final [Source: X]In the final of the Duleep Trophy 2026 season, Shikhar Mohan slammed a gritty 85-run knock while representing East Zone. He built a strong partnership with captain Ishan Kishan to put the team in a strong position.The Duleep Trophy 2026 final went on floors on September 6 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, with East Zone opting to bat first on a good wicket.They got a good start with Abhimanyu Easwaran (72) and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (44) stitching a 100-run opening partnership. But once the 15-year-old kid departed, Mohan walked out at no. 3.Shikhar Mohan puts East Zone in a strong spotMeanwhile, Shikhar Mohan had a strong foundation to capitalise on, and he did his job to perfection. He stitched a 94-run partnership with East Zone captain Ishan Kishan after the fall of 2 quick dismissals.Mohan was mindful and smart with his shot selection. He didn’t play any rash shots or take any unnecessary risks to ensure his team maintained the momentum. Shikhar eventually reached his half-century but missed a hundred by a few inches.Batting at 85 off 120 balls with 9 fours and 3 sixes, Shikhar Mohan was cleaned up by Chama Milind on the second ball of the 53rd over. Although Mohan missed a deserving hundred, his gritty stay on the crease caught the fans’ attention.Also Read - Watch- Mohammed Siraj's Takes Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Revenge From Ishan KishanWho is Shikhar Mohan?Shikhar Mohan is a 21-year-old left-handed top-order batter from Ranchi, Jharkhand. In his maiden Ranji Trophy season, he played eight matches and scored 613 runs in 12 innings, including a double century, a hundred and 3 fifties.Overall, Mohan has played 7 List A games as well, where he maintained an average of 55.85. Also, in the Col. CK Nayudu Trophy 2023-24, he scored 623 runs at an average of 77.88.Hence, after consistent performances in domestic tournaments across formats, Shikhar Mohan got an opportunity to play in the Duleep Trophy 2026 season, and he is not letting this chance go to waste.What makes Shikhar Mohan’s Duleep Trophy final innings special?What makes the Duleep Trophy 2026 final innings of Shikhar Mohan special is the opportunity he received. He came into the East Zone XI as a replacement for Virat Singh and had to make the most of his chance in a high-profile final.Rather than looking overwhelmed by the occasion, the left-handed batter played positively and built an important innings for his side. Mohan looked well on course to register a century before his innings came to an end. Before the Duleep Trophy final, Mohan had a first-class batting average of 55.72, which speaks volumes of his consistency. It's clear that his 85 against South Zone was not an isolated performance but a result of his sheer behind the scenes hard work.Also Read - Ishan Kishan Makes Strong Statement On India Test Comeback In Front Of BCCI Chief Selector
