In a thrilling climax to the Inter-zonal Multi-Day Trophy, East Zone snatched a dramatic one-wicket victory over South Zone at the Maharashtra Cricket Stadium. With just six runs needed for victory, East Zone found themselves on the brink of defeat as South Zone’s Minnu Mani bowled with precision, exploiting the cracks in the surface.
Titas Sadhu and Annapurna Das, the last two East Zone batters, faced an anxious wait as Mani’s deliveries tested their resolve. After 12 tense balls, Sadhu managed to find the boundary, securing the winning runs and sparking jubilation among the East Zone camp.
The match had been a closely fought affair throughout, with both teams displaying resilience and determination. South Zone had posted a modest 133 in their first innings, but their bowlers kept them in the game by restricting East Zone to 129. In the second innings, South Zone improved their batting performance, scoring 179, setting East Zone a target of 184.
East Zone’s chase got off to a shaky start, but Deepti Sharma’s 46 and Richa Ghosh’s 33 provided some stability. However, South Zone’s bowlers fought back, reducing East Zone to 178/9. With just one wicket remaining, the pendulum swung in East Zone’s favor as Sadhu and Das held their nerve to secure the victory.
Former India captain Shubhangi Kulkarni was present to felicitate the winners, with East Zone receiving a cheque for ₹50 lakh, while South Zone received ₹20 lakh. Minnu Mani was named Player of the Match for her impressive bowling performance, while Deepti Sharma was awarded Player of the Tournament.
The victory marked a significant achievement for East Zone, who had not won the Inter-zonal Multi-Day Trophy since 2016. The tournament showcased the depth of talent in Indian women’s cricket, with several players putting in standout performances.
