Jotin pheiroijam

North East Zone: Centuries from Danish Malewar and Rajat Patidar have placed Central Zone firmly in control on the opening day of their Duleep Trophy clash against North East Zone at the BCCI Centre of Excellence on Thursday.

At stumps, Central Zone reached 432/2 in 77 overs, with Malewar unbeaten on 198 off 219 balls, laced with 35 fours and a six. Patidar, captaining in place of injured Dhruv Jurel, hit 125 off just 96 balls – his 14th first-class century laced with 21 fours and three sixes, as the duo ensured Central Zone seized early momentum.

Pushed into batting first by North East Zone, Central Zone suffered an early blow when Ayush Pandey was dismissed for just three by Akash Kumar. With Malewar coming in, Aryan Juyal stabilised Central Zone’s innings by making 60 off 100 balls, including hitting eight boundaries before retiring hurt.