Bahutule shines as the sun sets in East

West Zone rounded up the East’s first innings at the stroke of lunch for 132. After following on, East were knocked out for 161.

‘‘The boys played well and they deserved the win,’’ said jubilant West Zone captain Sachin Tendulkar.

He had special words of praise for Ajit Agarkar and Sairaj Bahutule, but applauded the bowling of Iqbal Siddiqui and Ramesh Powar. ‘‘It was a superb supporting role by Iqbal and Ramesh which made things look so easy for us.’’Putting the blame on the batting attitude of his batmen, Shiv Sunder Das said: ‘‘There is no excuse. Nor was it bad luck. It was our batsmen who failed to apply themselves.’’

West have finished their Duleep engagements with 17 points, and now wait for the result of the Central and South, before they emerge behind the winners.