Abhishek Nayar cracked double ton as West Zone amassed a mammoth 769 in first innings against North Zone.

Nayar also shared a 197-run partnership for the eighth wicket with another centurion Romesh Powar on the second day of their Duleep Trophy semifinal.

Nayar, resuming at his personal score of 102, continued to hammer the North bowlers and also found good support from his Mumbai teammate Powar, who came out with a 154-ball 109 at Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Ground.

In reply, North were struggling at 36 for three at the end of the day, with Virat Kohli (19 n.o.) giving company to Vikramjeet Malik (12 n.o.).

Earlier, resuming at 425 for five, West lost the wickets of Ravindra Jadeja (61), who feel prey to pacer Parwinder Awana and then Manpreet Gony bowled out Irfan Pathan (5).

But Nayar, who cracked 38 fours and five sixes, along with Powar took West to a position of strength. Powar struck 13 fours and a six off during his 154-ball stay.

Dhawal Kulkarni, who chipped in with unbeaten 81-ball 50 with the help of six fours and two sixes, was giving company to Nayar when he brought up his double hundred in 326 balls.

The southpaw's magnificent knock ended when trying to clear the mid-wicket fence, he was caught by Shikar Dhawan off Vikas Mishra.

For the visitors, Mishra was the most successful bowler taking four wickets for 154 runs, while Awana and Gony grabbed two wickets each giving away 115 and 104 runs, respectively.

North then began their first essay on a poor note as they lost three quick wickets in the form of Ravi Inder Singh (0), Shikhar Dhawan (2) and Rahul Dewan (0).

Munaf Patel scalped two wickets, while Irfan bagged one to leave their opponent struggling at the end of the day.

Irfan struck in his first over by dismissing Ravi Inder Singh, caught at slip by Wasim Jaffer, while Munaf accounted for Dhawan and Dewan.

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