Smaran Ravichandran produced an excellent reflex catch to dismiss North Zone batter Abdul Samad on Day 1 of the second semi-final of the Duleep Trophy 2026. Representing South Zone, the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) teen confirmed glorious reflexes at first slip to finish the catch after the ball initially appeared to have slipped from his grasp. The dismissal got here throughout the twenty fifth over of North Zone’s innings on the BCCI Centre of Excellence Floor 2 in Bengaluru, with Shreyas Gopal creating the chance along with his bowling.
Abdul Samad falls after transient keep at crease
North Zone captain Kanhaiya Wadhawan received the toss and elected to bat first, however his facet misplaced wickets at common intervals. Qamran Iqbal and Sanat Sangwan put collectively 18 runs for the opening wicket earlier than Sangwan departed for 10. Iqbal then mixed with Ayush Doseja so as to add 53 runs for the second wicket.
Doseja scored 23 earlier than being dismissed by Kavuri Saiteja, whereas Ayush Badoni fell for simply two after Tanay Thyagarajan offered South Zone with one other breakthrough. Samad walked in with North Zone underneath strain however couldn’t keep on the crease for lengthy. He scored 16 off 19 balls, together with two fours and a six, earlier than changing into the fourth batter to depart.
Smaran Ravichandran produces beautiful reflex catch to dismiss Samad
The wicket got here on the fourth ball of the twenty fifth over when Gopal bowled a full-length supply exterior off. The ball spun away after pitching, prompting Samad to try a lower. The shot flew shortly in direction of Ravichandran at first slip. He instantly stretched out his proper hand and obtained a palm to the ball, however it initially appeared to have slipped out.
Ravichandran reacted shortly and accomplished the catch with each arms as he fell to the bottom. Samad was dismissed for 16 off 19 deliveries, leaving North Zone at 95/4 after 24.4 overs.
Right here’s the video:
What. A. Catch 👌
R Smaran pulls off a implausible catch at slip to dismiss Abdul Samad 🙌
North Zone are 95/4 within the first innings!
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/AGjIStrDAT#DuleepTrophy | #SZvNZ pic.twitter.com/mw4pTkO9z0
— BCCI Home (@BCCIdomestic) August 30, 2026
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South Zone acquire the higher hand after North Zone are bowled out
North Zone had been finally bowled out for 195 in 59.1 overs, with Qamran offering the spine of their innings with a affected person 76 off 182 balls. Captain Kanhaiya contributed 35, however North Zone misplaced their ultimate 5 wickets for simply 21 runs. Vidhwath Kaverappa led the South Zone bowling assault with a formidable 4/66, whereas Tanay and M. D. Nidheesh claimed two wickets every.
South Zone have since begun their reply but additionally discovered themselves in hassle. After ending Day 1 at 40/2, they had been lowered to 130/5 by the second session of Day 2 and remained 65 runs behind North Zone. Gurnoor Brar has been the standout bowler for North Zone with 4/43, whereas Tilak Varma has steadied South Zone’s innings with an unbeaten 28 off 105 balls. He’s presently batting alongside Gopal, who has contributed 29, as South Zone look to scale back the deficit and set up a first-innings lead.
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