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    Devdutt Padikkal’s hand on head in disbelief after soft dismissal to Mukesh Kumar for 62 in Duleep Trophy 2026 final [Watch]

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    South Zone batter Devdutt Padikkal was left clutching his head in utter disbelief after handing East Zone a soft breakthrough on Day 3 of the Duleep Trophy 2026 final at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Tuesday. Padikkal, who looked set for a commanding century, fell for a well-compiled 62 off 104 deliveries.

    The lapse occurred in the 36th over of South Zone’s innings shortly after Mukesh Kumar was reintroduced into the attack. Bowling from over the wicket, the East Zone seamer delivered a full ball angling into middle and leg. Padikkal instinctively flicked it off his pads with an aerial pick-up shot, appearing unaware of the deep boundary protection.

    The ball traveled directly toward deep square leg, where substitute fielder Denish Das moved forward to secure a sharp low catch.

    Realizing he had picked out the lone fielder in the deep on an otherwise harmless delivery, Padikkal stood frozen with his hands clasped over his helmet in sheer frustration before trudging back to the pavilion.

    Watch the clip here:

    It was a double delight for East Zone, as senior pacer Mohammad Shami dismissed Shaik Rasheed a couple of overs back to break the 56-run partnership with Padikkal.

    Padikkal’s dismissal dealt a heavy blow to South Zone’s resistance as they chased East Zone’s massive first-innings total of 708. Arriving in the final fresh off two Test centuries against Sri Lanka, the left-hander had anchored the innings alongside Narayan Jagadeesan and Rasheed. His departure reduced South Zone to 129/4, tightening East Zone’s grip on the championship clash.

    Ishan Kishan’s epic 270 powers East Zone to 708

    East Zone seized absolute control of the Duleep Trophy 2026 final by piling up a mammoth 708 all out in 163 overs against South Zone after choosing to bat first.

    Captain Ishan Kishan spearheaded the marathon batting masterclass with a scintillating 270 off 334 balls. Dominating the bowling across the first two days, Kishan stitched a decisive 230-run fifth-wicket stand with Kumar Kushagra, who scored a fluent 101 off 132 deliveries.

    Despite off-spinner Tripurana Vijay claiming 4/180, South Zone’s bowling attack looked toothless on the flat deck, leaving them facing an immense uphill battle.