Duleep Trophy: Tilak Varma, Smaran R Guide South Zone to Win Over North Zone

South Zone secured a victory over North Zone in the Duleep Trophy semifinal held in Bengaluru, propelled by a commanding display from player of the match Tilak Varma and an unbroken partnership with Karnataka batter Smaran R.

Tilak anchored South Zone throughout the semifinal contest, remaining undefeated across the match. He set the tone in the first innings by compiling an unbeaten 116 not out to put his team in a commanding position.

In shaping the final result, Tilak was joined at the crease by Smaran. The pair combined to frustrate the North Zone attack, putting together an unbroken 80-run partnership to guide South Zone across the line.

Smaran played an effective supporting innings, scoring 32 not out off 42 deliveries. His knock included four boundaries and one six, maintaining scoring momentum alongside Tilak to close out the contest.

Tilak's run of form without being dismissed across the semifinal earned him the player of the match award as South Zone finished on top in Bengaluru.