North Zone defeated West Zone 473 to 421 in the opening fixture of the Dulip Trophy on Saturday. The match took place on 23 August 2026 and set the tone for what promises to be a competitive tournament. Both sides entered the contest with empty standings tables.
The result gives North Zone first place in the newly formed table, though the gap remains theoretical with only one match played. West Zone's defeat comes despite a recent record of close encounters, including a 260-259 win over North Zone back in 2023.
North Zone's recent form shows a mix of results, with a narrow 102-101 victory over the North-East Zone and a heavy 337-249 loss to the East Zone. West Zone similarly experienced both highs and lows, including a 244-243 win against the Central Zone and a 319-162 victory over the East Zone.
The combined total of 894 runs across both innings suggests an attacking approach from both sides. With the tournament just beginning, this match will likely serve as a benchmark for how teams adapt to the conditions and each other.
