Bengaluru, Sept. 2 -- Tilak Varma turned the Duleep Trophy semifinal into a timely statement of his red-ball credentials, producing two unbeaten innings to power South Zone into the final with a seven-wicket victory over North Zone here on Wednesday.
After an unbeaten 116 in the first innings, Tilak returned to make 51 not out in the chase, holding his nerve when North briefly threatened to reopen the contest. His second-innings effort, rather than merely completing a modest chase, underlined his ability to absorb pressure and bat deep in a knockout game.
South were chasing 181 after North, having conceded a 117-run first-innings deficit, were dismissed for 297 in their second innings. The target looked comfortable, but North created a wi...