Though padikkal

BCCI COE Ground: Wicketkeeper-batter N Jagadeesan hit a composed century to put South Zone in command at stumps on day one of their 2025/26 Duleep Trophy semi-final against North Zone at the BCCI COE Ground 1 on Thursday.

After making a cautious start, Jagadeesan brought up his fifty off 124 balls before shifting gears after lunch break to get his hundred in just next 60 deliveries. With South Zone reaching 297/3 in 81 overs, Jagadeesan closed the day unbeaten on 148 off 260 balls, laced with 13 fours and two sixes to anchor South Zone’s innings and keep the bowlers at bay.

Jagadeesan found strong support from top-order batter Devdutt Padikkal, who struck a brisk 57 while sharing a 128-run stand for the second wicket. Though Padikkal fell on the stroke of tea, it was one of the few breakthroughs North Zone managed on an otherwise day of hard toil for their bowling line-up.