Duleep Trophy 2025: North Zone vs East Zone – Quarterfinal Preview (August 28, 2025)

Date: August 28, 2025
Time: 05:00 GMT / 09:30 AM IST / 09:30 AM Local Time
Venue: BCCI Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru
Format: 5-day first-class match
Series: Duleep Trophy 2025 – Quarterfinal 1
Broadcast: Live on JioCinema / Hotstar

As the Duleep Trophy 2025 kicks off on August 28, the spotlight falls on the first quarterfinal clash between North Zone and East Zone. This five-day encounter promises to be a compelling battle between two well-balanced teams, each eager to make an early impact in the competition.

Team Preview: North Zone

Captain: Shubman Gill
Vice-Captain: Ankit Kumar
Key Players: Shubman Gill, Shubham Khajuria, Yash Dhull, Arshdeep Singh, Ayush Badoni

Strengths:

• North Zone boasts a strong batting lineup anchored by Shubman Gill, who is in brilliant form in domestic and international cricket.
• Yash Dhull and Ayush Badoni provide depth and firepower in the middle and lower order.
• The spin department is led by Mayank Dagar, who can exploit turning tracks in Bengaluru.
• Arshdeep Singh adds a potent fast-bowling threat, capable of swinging the ball and taking early wickets.

Expectation:
North Zone will look to dominate the first two sessions with their pace attack and then tighten the screws with spin on the third and fourth days. With strong batting depth and a balanced bowling attack, they are favorites on paper.

Team Preview: East Zone

Captain: Ishan Kishan
Vice-Captain: Abhimanyu Easwaran
Key Players: Ishan Kishan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Mohammed Shami, Akash Deep, Riyan Parag

Strengths:

• Ishan Kishan is a dynamic captain and a destructive opener, capable of anchoring the innings with aggressive strokeplay.
• Abhimanyu Easwaran is a reliable middle-order batsman with a calm demeanor under pressure.
• The pace attack is spearheaded by Mohammed Shami and Akash Deep, both of whom can trouble batsmen with accurate line and late swing.
• Riyan Parag and Virat Singh offer batting depth and can accelerate the scoring rate.

Expectation:
East Zone will rely on their quick bowlers to create early pressure and then build partnerships with the bat. Their aggressive approach could unsettle North Zone's spin-heavy plans, especially on a slow track in Bengaluru.

Venue Insights: BCCI Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru

The venue, known for its slow and turning pitches, plays to the strengths of spinners. However, the first two days can be tricky for batsmen due to green tussles and variable bounce. Teams that start well and build strong partnerships often dominate such tracks.

Head-to-Head and Historical Context

While this is the first match of the 2025 edition, the rivalry between North and East Zones has been competitive in past Duleep Trophy encounters. Both teams have had their moments, but North Zone has historically held a slight edge, especially in conditions favoring spin.

Match Prediction

This match could go either way, with the result hinging on early wickets and partnership building. North Zone's balanced squad and home advantage give them a slight edge, but East Zone's aggressive approach and pace firepower could disrupt that.

Probable Winner: North Zone
Margin: 2-3 days
Key Performers to Watch:

• Shubman Gill (North Zone)
• Ishan Kishan (East Zone)
• Arshdeep Singh (North Zone)
• Mohammed Shami (East Zone)

Where to Watch

Live Streaming: JioCinema / Hotstar
Live Score Updates: MyFinal11

The North Zone vs East Zone clash is set to be the opening act of the Duleep Trophy 2025, and cricket fans can look forward to a thrilling five days of red-ball action. With both teams brimming with talent and ambition, it's a match that could set the tone for the entire tournament.
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