In a thrilling final match, South Zone emerged victorious in the Duleep Trophy 2023, defeating West Zone by 75 runs. The star of the match was Vidwat Kaverappa, whose outstanding performance earned him the titles of ‘Player of the Series’ and ‘Player of the Match.’ Vidwat’s exceptional bowling skills were on full display as he took a total of 8 wickets, adding to his impressive tally throughout the tournament.
Vidwat’s brilliance was not limited to the final alone. In the semi-finals, he showcased his bowling prowess yet again, posing a formidable challenge to the opponents. He managed to secure 15 wickets across the two matches, leaving a lasting impact on the tournament. During the second semi-final clash between South Zone and North Zone, Vidwat’s phenomenal performance helped his team secure a hard-fought victory by 2 wickets. He contributed significantly to the win by taking 5 wickets in the first innings and 2 wickets in the second innings.
The final match saw South Zone posting a total of 213 runs in their first innings, followed by a solid score of 230 runs in the second innings. In response, West Zone managed to score 146 runs in their first innings and put up a valiant fight with 222 runs in the second innings. Noteworthy performances from Mayank Agarwal, who scored 28 runs in the first innings, and Captain Hanuma Vihari, who played a crucial innings of 63 runs, played a pivotal role in South Zone’s victory. Tilak Verma also made a significant contribution with 40 runs, while Hanuma added another 42 runs in the second innings. Mayank showcased his skills once again, contributing 35 runs, and Washington Sundar chipped in with a commendable 37 runs.
Vidwat Kaverappa’s overall performance throughout the tournament has been exceptional. He has taken an impressive 49 wickets in 24 innings of first-class matches. His standout performance includes a remarkable 8-wicket haul conceding only 104 runs. Additionally, he has showcased his talent in List A matches, claiming 17 wickets in 8 matches, and in T20 matches, where he has taken 18 wickets in 8 appearances.
Vidwat Kaverappa’s remarkable display of skill and determination has undoubtedly made him one of the standout performers of the Duleep Trophy 2023. His contributions were instrumental in South Zone’s triumph and solidify his reputation as a talented and promising cricketer to watch out for in the future.
