Duleep Trophy 2022 Final Day 1 Review: Het Patel leads West Zone’s fightback after early hiccups

The Duleep Trophy 2022 final between West Zone and South Zone is underway at the SNR Cricket College Ground in Coimbatore and wicket-keeper batter Het Patel was the talking point at the end of a riveting day's play (Day 1).

West Zone skipper Ajinkya Rahane won an important toss and surprisingly, opted to bat first under bowling friendly conditions. Rahane’s decision did backfire at the start of the innings as one of the openers Yashasvi Jaiswal was removed for just one by Cheepurapalli Stephen.  

The left-arm seamer (Stephen) was going through a fine spell while Basil Thampi from the other end got the big fish Rahane for just eight runs. Stephen got another big breakthrough as he trapped Priyank Panchal in front of the wickets to leave the West Zone tottering at 16 for 3.

It then came down to Shreyas Iyer and Sarfaraz Khan, who joined hands in the middle and stitched a valuable partnership of 48 runs for the fourth wicket before Iyer perished at an individual score of 37.  

Left-arm off-spinner Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore managed to dismiss Sarfaraz while he was batting on 34 and continued his good rhythm by picking up Shams Mulani for a duck.

After coming to the crease, wicketkeeper-batter Het took his time early on and trusted his strong defence while Atit Sheth provided good support. The duo added 63 for the seventh wicket and Patel reached a fantastic half-century in the process.  

Het Patel continues his tremendous form

After a valuable knock of 25, Sheth was dismissed by Thampi and Tanush Kotian could not hang around for long. Experienced Jaydev Unadkat came to the crease after Kotian's dismissal and he showed a lot of positive intent alongside Het, who was keen to get to the three-figure mark.

The pair took advantage of the new ball and added crucial runs in the final hour which ensured that West Zone got to 250 for 8 at the end of 90 overs.  

Patel (96*) is four short of what could be a hard-fought and crucial century while Unadkat had played his part quite well so far with an unbeaten 39. Sai Kishore was the pick of the bowlers for South Zone on the day with 3 for 80 in his 32 overs, while Thampi and Stephen picked up two wickets each.