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Tezzbuzz Desk: The first semi-final of Duleep Trophy 2026 has reached an exciting turn between East Zone and defending champions Central Zone. There is such a coincidence in the match that if the match is a draw then the team reaching the final can be decided not by the usual method but by tossing a coin. Under BCCI rules, there may be a need to choose the winner in this match through a toss.

In the semi-final being played between Central Zone and East Zone, both the teams scored 266-266 runs in the first innings. Central Zone's first innings ended at 266 runs, in response to which the East Zone team, captained by Ishan Kishan, was also all out on the same score. Due to equal runs of both the teams in the first innings, neither team got the lead. In such a situation, other rules of BCCI will have to be taken to decide the result of the match.

In domestic red-ball knockout matches, usually if the match is drawn, the team leading in the first innings is considered the winner and advances to the next round. But here the first innings score of both the teams is equal. Therefore this rule cannot be applied. After this comes the option to decide the winner by the rule of average score. The rule of average score is decided by dividing the total runs scored by the team by the wickets it lost. However, to implement this rule, it is necessary for the team batting in the second innings to bat for at least 60 overs. In this match, the East Zone team was all out even before the completion of 60 overs. In such a situation, the rule of average score also cannot be applied.

This is the reason why now the result of the match can reach a very unusual situation. If neither team is able to register a win by the end of the fourth innings of the match and the match is drawn, then a toss can be conducted to decide the finalists. That is, a coin will be tossed and the team that wins the toss can get a place in the final. It is a very rare situation in itself to decide the finalists through toss in the knockout match of any major domestic tournament in cricket. Typically, first innings lead or other prescribed criteria are used to determine the result in a knockout match. But in this match, the situation has become different due to the first innings being equal and the rule of average score not being implemented.

This match between East Zone and Central Zone is also special because Central Zone is the current champion, while Ishan Kishan is commanding the East Zone. The excitement of the semi-finals has increased due to the match between the two teams being equal. Now the effort of both the teams will be to somehow prevent the match from reaching a draw and achieve victory in the fourth innings. If any team achieves the target then the matter will end there. But if the match ends without any decisive result, then cricket lovers may get to see a very unique scene –The team reaching the final will be decided by a coin toss rather than by performance on the field.