Goa, Sept. 1 -- East Zone secured a place in the Duleep Trophy final after defeating defending champions Central Zone by four wickets in a high-voltage semi-final at CoE 1 in Bengaluru. Driven by a dominant performance from pace bowler Mukesh Kumar-who bagged seven wickets across the match-East Zone successfully chased down a target of 159 on a dramatic third day that saw 13 wickets fall.

Resuming their second innings at 45 for 3 after first-innings scores were level at 266, Central Zone's batting lineup crumpled under relentless pressure from the East Zone bowling attack. Mukesh Kumar led the charge, returning second-innings figures of 4 for 44 to complement his 3 for 56 from the first innings. Partnering with veteran fast bowler Mohamm...