Mohammed Shami played a patient knock for South Zone during their mammoth chase against East Zone in the Duleep Trophy 2026 final. However, his stay at the crease came to an end when Shreyas Gopal produced a beautifully tossed-up googly that sneaked through the gap between bat and pad and crashed into the stumps.
Shami had spent considerable time at the crease and was helping South Zone stabilise their innings after East Zone posted a massive 708. Just when the partnership was beginning to frustrate the bowling side, Gopal found the perfect delivery to provide South Zone with a much-needed breakthrough.
Mohammed Shami offers resistance for South Zone
Shami walked in with South Zone facing a daunting first-innings deficit and focused on staying at the crease alongside the established batters. Rather than taking unnecessary risks, the experienced pacer showed plenty of patience and looked to defend solidly against the East Zone attack.
He eventually made 28 from 51 deliveries, hitting four boundaries during his stay. His partnership had started to become increasingly frustrating for East Zone, with South Zone desperately needing to reduce the deficit after being asked to follow up East Zone’s enormous first-innings total.
Shreyas Gopal produces a brilliant googly to dismiss Shami
Gopal then produced the breakthrough with a perfectly tossed-up googly. Shami went for a drive away from his body but failed to make contact as the ball turned sharply enough to beat his defence. The delivery sneaked through the large gap between Shami’s bat and pad before crashing into the stumps.
Gopal was visibly relieved as the wicket finally broke the stubborn partnership, while Shami could only walk back after playing a patient innings for South Zone. The dismissal showcased Gopal’s ability to deceive the batter in flight and off the surface. Shami appeared to have lined up the drive, but the change in direction from the googly left him completely beaten.
Here’s the video:
Outfoxed 👌
Shreyas Gopal with a beautiful googly to dismiss Mohd. Shami 🙌
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/BhTkGWeeoD#DuleepTrophy | #EZvSZ pic.twitter.com/7CxW8Kzpi0
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) September 7, 2026
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Ishan Kishan’s record-breaking 270 puts East Zone in command
Earlier, East Zone piled up a gigantic 708 before being bowled out in 163 overs. Captain Ishan Kishan was the standout performer, smashing a career-best 270 off 334 balls with 30 fours and seven sixes. He even returned to the crease after briefly retiring hurt due to fatigue to help East Zone cross the 700-run mark.
Kumar Kushagra also made a century, scoring 101, while Abhimanyu Easwaran and Shikhar Mohan contributed 72 and 85 respectively. The East Zone batting unit dominated South Zone on a flat Chepauk surface, with Tripurana Vijay the pick of the bowlers with 4/180. South Zone began Day 3 at 108/2 and still trail by 600 runs. Devdutt Padikkal was unbeaten on 57 alongside Shaik Rasheed, while Shami’s dismissal added another setback to South Zone’s attempt to survive against a huge East Zone total.
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