The Duleep Trophy 2026 kicked off with two quarter-finals that couldn’t have been more different. East Zone absolutely steamrolled North East Zone in a one-sided affair, while the other match between North Zone and West Zone went right down to the final morning with everything still on the line. Both games produced some outstanding individual performances that will definitely catch the selectors’ attention. With the semi-finals now set, let’s take a proper look at what actually happened out there in Bengaluru, who scored the runs, who took the wickets, and what it all means going forward.
Duleep Trophy 2026 Quarter Final Results At A Glance
| Match | Winning Team | Margin | First Innings Score | Standout Performer |
| East Zone vs North East Zone | East Zone | Innings & 210 runs | East Zone 467 | Shahbaz Ahmed (167) |
| North Zone vs West Zone | North Zone | 8 wickets | North Zone 251 | Tanush Kotian (4 wickets) |
East Zone vs North East Zone Result
This was a complete mismatch from start to finish. The East Zone piled up 467 runs in their first innings, with Shahbaz Ahmed and Sudip Kumar Gharami smashing brilliant centuries. The North East Zone were bowled out for just 111 in reply as Abhijit Sarkar ran through them with 5 for 20. Forced to follow on, they did even worse, managing only 146 in their second innings as Anukul Roy spun his way to 5 for 37. East Zone won by an innings and 210 runs without breaking much of a sweat.
North Zone vs West Zone Result
This one was proper red-ball cricket and decided only on the fourth morning. North Zone scored 251 in their first innings, with Anshul Kamboj’s aggressive 60 rescuing them from 161 for 7. West Zone replied with 187, giving North a 64-run first-innings lead. North then set a target of 286 by making 222 in their second innings. West Zone looked comfortable at 211 for 4, with Musheer Khan (96) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (66) putting together a century stand, but then things fell apart dramatically. They lost their last six wickets for just 23 runs and were bowled out for 234, handing North Zone a 52-run victory.
East Zone’s Dominant Win Over North East Zone
Shahbaz Ahmed’s 167 Sets Up The Victory
Shahbaz Ahmed walked in when the East Zone were in real trouble at 138 for 5, and he simply took the game away from the North East Zone. His 167 came off 244 balls and was a career-best knock in first-class cricket. He hit 17 fours and four sixes, but what made the innings special was that he was patient when needed and aggressive when the opportunity came.
He remained unbeaten on 100 at stumps on day one, having faced 137 balls with nine fours and two sixes. The next morning, he continued his march, adding another 67 runs with Anukul Roy before finally being dismissed. His partnership with Gharami gave them a total that North East Zone had no realistic chance of chasing.
Abhijit Sarkar And Anukul Roy Lead The Bowling Attack
If the batting laid the platform, the bowling finished the job. Abhijit Sarkar, the medium-pacer from Tripura who was the lone representative from his state in the East Zone squad, produced a stunning spell in the first innings. He picked up 5 for 20 as the North East Zone collapsed from 78 for 3 to 111 all out.
Then came Anukul Roy, the left-arm spinner, who wrapped things up in the second innings with 5 for 37. Mohammed Shami, playing in the match, bowled 14 overs across both innings and conceded 46 runs but couldn’t take a wicket. Even so, he got the ball to move around in overcast conditions and created pressure that made life easier for the spinners. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also chipped in with two wickets in the second innings.
North Zone vs West Zone: The Closer Quarter Final
North Zone’s First Innings Gives Them An Edge
North Zone’s total of 251 didn’t look massive on paper, but in the context of the match, it proved crucial. After openers Yash Dhull and Qamran Iqbal were dismissed with only 45 on the board, Ayush Badoni and Ayush Doseja added 72 runs to steady the innings. Badoni made 51 off 57 balls with six fours and two sixes.
Then came the middle-order collapse, where North slipped from 117 for 2 to 161 for 7. Deshpande and Kotian were running through the lineup. But Anshul Kamboj changed everything with a blistering 60 off just 52 balls. His aggressive hitting pushed North past 250 and gave them something to defend. That innings turned what could have been a below-par total into a competitive one.
Tanush Kotian Becomes A Major Factor
Tanush Kotian was West Zone’s standout performer with the ball across both innings. In the first innings, he took 4 for 72, dismissing Ayush Doseja and captain Kanhaiya Wadhawan. In the second innings, he was even better, grabbing 4 for 46. His off-spin troubled North Zone’s batters throughout the match, and his two catches in the field showed he’s no slouch either.
But cricket has a funny way of evening things out. On the final morning, with West Zone needing 67 runs and Kotian at the crease, he was dismissed by Abid Mushtaq with the second ball of the day, a delivery that kept low and crashed into his middle stump. It was a cruel end to what had been an excellent personal performance.
Top Batting Performers From The Duleep Trophy Quarter Finals
Shahbaz Ahmed Leads The Run-Scoring Charts
Shahbaz Ahmed’s 167 was the highest individual score of the quarter-finals by some distance. He walked in when the East Zone were in serious trouble, and by the time he walked off, the match was effectively over. His 17 fours and four sixes came at exactly the right moments, and he never let the bowlers build any sustained pressure. By the time he walked off, the opposition knew they were already chasing a lost cause.
Sudip Kumar Gharami Also Makes A Statement
Sudip Kumar Gharami’s 146 was arguably just as important as Shahbaz’s knock. He came in at number four, an unfamiliar position for someone who usually opens or bats at three, and adapted with remarkable composure. He reached his ninth first-class century from 130 balls, having first survived a difficult morning session before opening up in the afternoon. His 185-ball innings contained 25 fours and a six. He was particularly strong against deliveries on his legs but also repeatedly pierced the off-side field.
Top Bowling Performers From The Quarter Finals
Abhijit Sarkar’s Five-Wicket Haul
Abhijit Sarkar’s five-wicket haul in the first innings was the kind of spell that breaks a team’s spirit. North East Zone came out hoping to respond to East Zone’s 467, but Sarkar had other ideas. He found movement off the seam and made the batters play at deliveries they probably should have left alone. By the time he was done, the North East Zone were all out for 119 and staring at a follow-on. Sarkar created pressure that made life easier for the other bowlers as well, which makes a five-wicket haul truly valuable.
Anukul Roy Finishes The Job
While Sarkar did the damage in the first innings, Anukul Roy was the one who finished things off in the second. His five-wicket haul came at a time when North East Zone needed to bat big to save the match, and he simply wouldn’t let them. The left-arm spinner’s ability to turn the ball and vary his pace made him almost unplayable at times. His five-wicket haul was about breaking partnerships and putting the final nail in the North East Zone’s coffin.
Players Who Stood Out Beyond The Scorecard
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Gets A Valuable Red-Ball Experience
The 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made his Duleep Trophy debut as East Zone’s vice-captain. He scored just 8 runs off 6 balls before being caught at gully off Bishworjit Konthoujam. He started confidently, hitting his third ball to the mid-wicket fence and his fourth to the point boundary, but the sixth ball ended his stay. However, he did contribute with the ball, picking up two wickets in North East Zone’s second innings. He also took two excellent catches in the field. So while his batting numbers were disappointing, his overall contribution was more than just a zero. For a 15-year-old playing at this level, the experience itself is valuable.
Ishan Kishan Shows His Wicketkeeping Quality
Ishan Kishan has always been known for his explosive batting, but in this match, it was his work behind the stumps that really stood out. As East Zone’s captain, he led from the front and showed sharp wicketkeeping skills, including a quick stumping. He took a smart catch to dismiss North East captain Rongsen Jonathan. When you have a big total on the board, the last thing you want is for chances to be missed in the field. Kishan made sure that didn’t happen, and his leadership helped keep the team focused throughout the match.
What The Quarter Final Results Mean For India’s Domestic Cricket
Established Players Get A Chance To Rebuild Momentum
The quarter-finals featured several players with international experience. Mohammed Shami played for East Zone, bowling 14 overs across two innings. He didn’t take a wicket, but he created pressure and got the ball to move around in helpful conditions. For a player returning from injury or looking to regain form, these matches are invaluable. Ruturaj Gaikwad captained West Zone and scored 66 in the second innings, showing he’s still got the game for the longer format.
Young Players Gain Exposure Against Strong Opposition
The Duleep Trophy is also about finding the next generation. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s debut, even with a modest score, gave him exposure to red-ball cricket against quality opposition. Anshul Kamboj’s 60 for North Zone showed he can handle pressure in a knockout game. Abid Mushtaq’s nine-wicket haul announced him as a serious talent. The tournament continues to be a bridge between domestic cricket and the international stage.
Quarter Final Results And The Road To The Semi Finals
East Zone Move On To Face Central Zone
East Zone’s emphatic victory sets up a fascinating semi-final clash against defending champions Central Zone, led by Rajat Patidar. The contrast between East Zone’s dominant performance and Central Zone’s direct entry means we don’t quite know what to expect. Can East Zone carry their momentum forward, or will Central Zone’s experience and pedigree prove too much? It’s a matchup that could go either way.
North Zone And West Zone Winner’s Path
North Zone, having edged past West Zone, now advances to face South Zone, led by Tilak Varma. The South Zone have been waiting in the wings, watching the quarter finals unfold, and they’ll be well-prepared for whatever the North Zone throws at them. For North Zone, the challenge is to back up their quarter-final win with another strong performance against a team that’s had time to rest and strategize.
| Semi Final | Teams | Key Players to Watch |
| Semi Final 1 | East Zone vs Central Zone | Shahbaz Ahmed, Rajat Patidar |
| Semi Final 2 | North Zone vs South Zone | Anshul Kamboj, Tilak Varma |
Three Biggest Takeaways From The Duleep Trophy Quarter Finals
East Zone Set The Early Benchmark
If anyone was wondering who the team to beat was, East Zone answered that question emphatically. Their innings-and-210-run victory wasn’t just a win but a statement. The way their batsmen piled on the runs and their bowlers dismantled the opposition showed a team firing on all cylinders. They’ve set a high bar for the rest of the competition to match.
Individual Performances Will Shape Selection Conversations
While team results matter, individual performances in domestic cricket always catch the selectors’ eye. Shahbaz Ahmed’s 167, Sudip Kumar Gharami’s 146, and the five-wicket hauls from Abhijit Sarkar and Anukul Roy are exactly the kind of displays that get people talking. Whether these performances lead to higher honors depends on consistency and timing, but for now, these players have made their case.
Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
Strengths And Weaknesses
Strengths: The individual performances were excellent, with both batting and bowling providing memorable moments. The intense match between North Zone and West Zone proved that India’s domestic red-ball cricket is strong, as teams showed they can fight back from difficult situations.
Weaknesses: Because there are so few matches, it is hard to judge form and consistency. A player might have one great game and one bad game, making it difficult to make firm decisions based on such little data. Also, the huge difference between the strongest and weakest teams was very clear in the East Zone-North East Zone match.
Opportunities And Threats
Opportunities: The semifinals give players another chance to improve on their quarterfinal performances and make a stronger case for selection. For young players, the experience of playing in high-pressure knockout matches is incredibly valuable for their growth.
Threats: The bad side of a short tournament is that one poor game can hurt a player’s reputation or chances of being picked, even if it does not show their true skill. The pressure to do well in every match can both motivate players and be a heavy burden.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Duleep Trophy 2026 first quarter final?
East Zone defeated North East Zone by an innings and 210 runs. The victory was powered by Shahbaz Ahmed’s magnificent 167 and some relentless bowling from Abhijit Sarkar and Anukul Roy, who both picked up five-wicket hauls. North East Zone simply couldn’t cope with the pressure from the very first session.
Who were the top performers in the Duleep Trophy quarter finals?
Shahbaz Ahmed and Sudip Kumar Gharami stood out with the bat, scoring 167 and 146, respectively, for the East Zone. With the ball, Abhijit Sarkar and Anukul Roy delivered five-wicket hauls that completely dismantled North East Zone’s batting lineup. Tanush Kotian also impressed for West Zone with a four-wicket haul in a losing cause.
How did Vaibhav Sooryavanshi perform in the Duleep Trophy?
Sooryavanshi made his Duleep Trophy debut in the quarter finals, scoring eight runs with the bat. However, he also picked up two wickets, showing his all-round capabilities. While the numbers might not be spectacular, the experience of playing red-ball cricket at this level will be valuable for his development going forward.
Which teams qualified for the Duleep Trophy semi finals?
The East Zone advanced after their dominant victory over the North East Zone. Central Zone and South Zone had already received direct semi-final entries. The remaining spot was won by North Zone, who edged past West Zone in a tight contest. The semi finals are now set with four teams competing for a place in the final.
Who scored the highest runs in the Duleep Trophy quarter finals?
Shahbaz Ahmed recorded the highest individual score of the quarter-final stage with his 167 for East Zone against North East Zone. He was followed by his teammate Sudip Kumar Gharami, who made 146 in the same innings. These two batting performances were the standout displays of the opening knockout round.
Conclusion
The Duleep Trophy 2026 quarter-finals gave us two very different matches. The East Zone were ruthless from start to finish, crushing the North East Zone by an innings and 210 runs. North Zone had to work much harder for their win, edging past West Zone by 52 runs in a tense contest that wasn’t decided until the fourth morning.
Shahbaz Ahmed and Sudip Kumar Gharami were the standout batsmen, while Abid Mushtaq, Abhijit Sarkar, and Anukul Roy delivered match-winning bowling performances. Tanush Kotian also impressed for West Zone despite ending up on the losing side.
Now the attention shifts to the semi finals, where East Zone will face defending champions Central Zone, and North Zone will take on South Zone. Both matches promise to be fascinating contests, with players given one more opportunity to showcase their talent on a big stage. For fans, the best cricket of the tournament might still be ahead of us.
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