Eastern Zone defeated Southern Zone in the Duleep Trophy on 6 September 2026, winning 1096 to 336. The hosts put up a formidable total at home ground, while the visitors struggled to respond. It was an opening fixture for both sides in the tournament.
The visitors have faced Eastern Zone before, most notably losing 283 to 328 in August 2023. Since then, Southern Zone have beaten Northern Zone 494 to 492 in their most recent outing. Eastern Zone, meanwhile, have won their last two matches, beating Central Zone and North-East Zone in 2026.
Both teams currently sit at the top of the table with zero games, wins, losses and points recorded. The tournament standings appear to be unprocessed at this stage, with neither side having accumulated any formal position yet.
And here's the thing — this result extends Eastern Zone's momentum from their recent victories. They have not lost since their encounter with Southern Zone three years ago, and this emphatic win keeps that run alive. The hosts have kept knocking on the door of dominance in this fixture.
The scoreline suggests a one-sided affair, though cricket often sees momentum shift. Southern Zone will need to regroup quickly in upcoming fixtures, having now faced Eastern Zone without success in three of their last four meetings.