Vidwath Kaverappa’s exceptional performance in the ongoing Duleep Trophy final left a lasting impact on South Zone’s clash against West Zone. With a career-best figures of 7/53 in 19 overs, Kaverappa played a crucial role in dismissing West Zone for a mere 146 in their first innings. Meanwhile, South Zone took a first-innings lead of 67.
This feat marked his fourth five-wicket haul in first-class cricket and second in the Duleep Trophy 2023, adding to his previous fifer in the semi-final clash against North Zone. In his 12th first-class appearance, Kaverappa turned the tide of the game with an impressive display of seam-bowling prowess. His spell on Day 2 resulted in the key dismissals of Cheteshwar Pujara, Suryakumar Yadav, and Sarfaraz Khan, triggering a collapse of six wickets for just 27 runs in the final session.
Continuing his dominance on Day 3, Kaverappa completed his five-wicket haul by removing Dharmendrasinh Jadeja. He then bagged two more wickets to register his best bowling figures in first-class cricket. Prithvi Shaw top-scored for West Zone with 63.
His tally of 14 wickets in the ongoing Duleep Trophy is second only to Saurabh Kumar from Central Zone, who has taken 16 wickets.
The match saw West Zone winning the toss and electing to bowl first. South Zone managed to post a total of 213 in their first innings, with captain Hanuma Vihari leading the charge with a fine hand of 63. Shams Mulani stood out as the standout bowler for West Zone, claiming three wickets.