South Zone in must win situation against East in Duleep tie

Mumbai, Feb 2 (UNI) South Zone, who were routed by North Zone in just over two days in their first match of the Duleep Trophy, now face a must win situation when they take on East Zone in the four-day match, beginning at Wankhede Stadium here from tomorrow.

South, for whom this is their concluding match, have to win it to stay alive in the competition as East Zone will be facing North in the final match.

The S Badrinath-led South zone will have to put up a much improved batting display after their abject display against North where they were laid low by the North Zone pace attack for just 157 and 211 in their two innings at Ahmedabad.

Badrinath, among the leading run-getters in Ranji Trophy this season after having come close to making his ODI debut earlier, had a personally poor match and was one of the four batsmen who got ducks against their names in the first innings of their opening tie.

The Tamil Nadu middle order batsman is hoping that his batting line-up will click against the varied bowling attack of East to give their own bowlers a good total to defend and show their worth at the Wankhede Stadium.

''Our batting failed against North and basically we did not get enough runs on the board. There was something for the bowlers in the wicket throughout. But we start afresh here and need to put that (defeat) behind. To stay in the race we need to win this match,'' Badrinath said while speaking to reporters after a net session here.

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