What appeared like a fortress for West Zone during the initial few days, the pendulum of the second semi-final of the current Duleep Trophy 2025 appears to be swaying in favour of Central Zone. Mumbai had completed their first innings for 438 on Day 2, of which the Rajat Patidar-captained team had completed for 229 for the loss of two wickets on the day's play at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 2 in Bengaluru. The third morning began with Shubham Sharma and skipper Patidar beginning their innings. They got off to a good start, playing cautiously during the first hour of play. But, they could not live up to their plans, as both were denied their respective centuries. Yash Rathod, the highest scorer of last Ranji season, walked in, but was dismissed by Ruturaj Gaikwad off Dharmendrasinh Jadeja's beauty. The wicketkeeper-batsman Upendra Yadav was followed by Harsh Dubey. The pair went on to fashion a crucial partnership with Dubey being the one taking risks. Yadav also excelled with the bat, hitting textbook shots to build a controlled half-century. However, Dubey lost his wicket while playing against Jadeja, totally disrupting the momentum, but not before scoring 75 from only 93 balls. Read aso: Who was Aseem Saeed? A Hero with thousand dollars from a loosing side A few overs down the line, Yadav also walked into Dubey's footsteps, becoming a victim of Shams Mulani on 87, just short of his much-deserved century. The two's 134-run partnership was the backbone of the day, as not only did it drive the Central Zone innings ahead, but also propelled the side beyond that of their opponents to an important lead. Saransh Jain (33*) and Deepak Chahar (37) put the icing on the cake for the day out with the bat for Patidar & Co. This lead may well prove to be the deciding factor in the match, as the penultimate encounter enters its fourth and last day. The game appears all but certain for a draw, and that might also mean that Central Zone will qualify for the finals, as the first-inning's lead will have them advancing. The Central Zone team will continue their innings on Day 4 with an 118-run lead and two wickets still in hand.