Duleep Trophy Live, East vs South Final Day 5: East Zone crowned Duleep Trophy champions

East Zone have been crowned Duleep Trophy champions after securing a crucial first-innings lead against South Zone. The match ended in a draw after East Zone declared their innings, but their advantage from the first innings was enough to seal the title.

A good milestone from Kounain Quraishi. He hits his maiden first-class century. A calm and composed effort from the 23-year-old.

And it looks like East Zone will carry on batting.

LIVE SCORE, DAY 5: East Zone (708, 372/6) lead South Zone (336) by 744 runs. Quraishi (104*), Anukul (60*) in Chennai.

Well, that was another dominant session from East Zone. It's time for Lunch, a much-needed break for South Zone bowlers and fielders.

Anukul Roy and Md Kounain Quraishi added 83 runs. More than 100 runs after losing just one wicket for East Zone on Thursday morning.

Md Kounain Quraishi is unbeaten on 76. Anukul Roy, who couldn't bowl in the first innings, is unbeaten on 37.

Live Score Day 5: East Zone (708, 321/6) lead South Zone (336) by 693 runs in Chennai.

Well, that's not looking good. The umpires have had a word with Tilak Varma, the captain of the South Zone. The two umpires felt that the South Zone players weren't proactive with the way they went about their things on Day 5 morning.

Enough is enough, they say and penalise South Zone, by awarding East Zone five runs.

Live Score: East Zone (708, 307/6), lead by 679 runs. Anukul (31*), Quraishi (69*) on Day 5 in Chennai.

Mohammed Siraj bowled 9 overs without success this morning. He bent his back and gave it his all, but Anukul Roy and Quraishi did well to keep him at bay. A couple of close ones, especially when Siraj came around the wicket to target the uncertainty corridor against Anukul, but it was not enough.

East Zone are 295 for 6 in their second innings in 71 overs.

There is some urgency in East Zone's batting now. Anukul Roy hit two huge sixes in Tirupurana Vijay's over to move into the 20s.

Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj is off the attack after bowling a nine-over spell. He has been replaced by MD Nidheesh.

Kounain Quraishi, having got to his fifty, welcomed Nidheesh with two crisply-timed boundaries. East Zone are closing in on 300 in their second innings and their lead is well past 650 runs.

Well, Quraishi has got to his hundred. Apparently, Anukul Roy, who has come in at the fall of Kumar Kushagra's wicket, did not bowl due to a finger injury concern, but he has come out to bat.

Baffling, considering East Zone have a lead of 643 runs.

Will they declare? Or will the two teams shake hands? Keep in mind, East Zone will win the Duleep Trophy, based on their first-innings lead.

LIVE SCORE: East Zone (708, 271/6) lead South Zone (336) by 643 runs on Day 5 in Chennai.

Kumar Kushagra’s patient stay has finally come to an end after an unnecessary poke outside off. Chama Milind tempted him with a full, wide delivery, and Kushagra went chasing the drive, only to edge behind to Narayan Jagadeesan.

The wicket ends a valuable 46 off 75 balls and breaks his steady partnership with Md Kounain Quraishi at a stage when East Zone were looking to pile on more runs. Anukul Roy is the new batter as East Zone lose their sixth wicket.

Live score: East Zone (708), (238/6 in 59.3 ovs), lead by 610 runs vs South Zone (336) in Chennai

East Zone continue to chip away at South Zone’s hopes, with Kumar Kushagra and Md Kounain Quraishi keeping the scoreboard moving in a steady partnership. Kushagra is on 39, while Quraishi has reached 30.

South Zone have managed to keep things relatively tight, with Mohammed Siraj and Chama Milind testing the batters. Siraj came close to finding Quraishi’s edge before a yorker produced an inside edge for a single.

Live score: East Zone (224/5 in 56 ovs) vs South Zone (336), East Zone lead by 596 runs in Chennai

WE ARE BACK FOR DAY 5!

No overnight declaration from East Zone, so there is no surprise to start the final day. They will bat on with a 584-run lead, looking to stretch South Zone’s already daunting task even further before handing the ball back to their bowlers.

South Zone, meanwhile, have little room for error. They need early wickets and plenty of them if they are to force their way back into a contest that has largely slipped away after East Zone’s mammoth first-innings 708 and South Zone’s 336 all-out.

Chama Milind has the new ball for South Zone, with East Zone resuming their second innings at 212/5. Kumar Kushagra and Md Kounain Quraishi will look to continue the unbeaten stand that carried East Zone safely through the closing stages on Day 4.

The equation is simple but brutal for South Zone: they need to bowl East Zone out quickly, then survive an enormous chase. East Zone, on the other hand, can dictate the pace of the final day and have the first-innings lead firmly in their favour.

Live score: East Zone (212/5 in 51 ovs) vs South Zone (336), East Zone lead by 584 runs in Chennai