Our Bureau
Chennai
East Zone captain Ishan Kishan scripted history on Monday by smashing a double century in the Duleep Trophy final against South Zone at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, becoming the latest batter to join the elite list of players to achieve the feat in the tournament’s summit clash.
Kishan reached the 200-run mark off 270 balls, combining aggressive strokeplay with sustained concentration as East Zone strengthened its position in the final. His landmark innings included 26 fours and two sixes at the time he crossed the double-century mark. He later went on to score 270 runs off 334 balls, including 30 boundaries and seven sixes, before his innings ended.
The knock also marked Kishan’s maiden double century in first-class cricket. The wicketkeeper-batter had resumed play on Monday unbeaten on 111 after reaching his century on the opening day. He continued his assault on the South Zone attack, helping East Zone build a formidable first-innings total.
Kishan’s achievement placed him among a select group of batters who have scored double centuries in a Duleep Trophy final. Earlier, Raman Lamba, Anshuman Gaekwad, Yusuf Pathan, Cheteshwar Pujara and Yashasvi Jaiswal had reached the milestone in the tournament’s final.
The East Zone captain’s innings proved pivotal as his team went on to post 708 in its first innings, its highest total in Duleep Trophy history and the third-highest team score in a Duleep Trophy final. Kumar Kushagra also contributed a century, further strengthening East Zone’s commanding position.
For Kishan, the performance adds another significant milestone to his first-class career and underlines his ability to produce decisive performances on the biggest domestic stage.