Tilak Varma made an unbeaten 106 from 225 balls to put South Zone 90 runs ahead of North Zone in their Duleep Trophy semi-final. South began the second day at 40 for two and slipped to 80 for five after North had made 195.

Shreyas Gopal made 87 and added 175 with Tilak for the sixth wicket. South closed on 285 for nine, with one wicket remaining in their first innings. Tilak did not hit a boundary until his 154th ball.

East match Central’s first-innings total

In the other semi-final, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made 92 as East matched Central Zone’s 266. East were 213 for five before losing their final five wickets for 53.

Central closed 45 for three in their second innings, leaving the match closely balanced at stumps.

Tilak and Gopal change South Zone’s position

Tilak’s innings held South’s first innings together after the early wickets. Gopal’s 87 gave him sustained support, while Gurnoor Brar’s four wickets kept North Zone in the match.

Their partnership turned an 80-for-five position into a first-innings lead.

Semi-final positions at stumps

South Zone need one wicket to complete their first innings and will then look to extend their lead. East have early second-innings wickets, while Central must build from 45 for three.