Cricket

Jagadeesan and Easwaran fight back for India B after India C post 525

September 13, 2024
Ishaan Shahane
A throwback photograph of Abhimanyu Easwaran
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After posting 357 on Day 1, India C seemed well in control on the morning of Day 2. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad’s half-century, after retiring hurt early on, and young Manav Suthar’s 82 consolidated their position. Their innings ended at 525. India B fought back. Openers Abhimanyu Easwaran and Narayan Jagadeesan took India B to 124/0 at stumps. With both teams showing grit, the match is finely balanced heading into Day 3.

India C started the morning session strongly, with Gaikwad and Suthar looking settled at the crease. With a good total already on the board, the pressure was on India B. Gaikwad reached a well-made 58, but would be disappointed not to convert it into a bigger score. Mukesh Kumar, continuing his good form in the game, bowled a beauty to clean up the captain. Mayank Markande was the next to arrive and played a few flashy shots, hitting a flurry of boundaries, but was soon deceived by Nitish Kumar Reddy, who knocked off his off-stump with a peach of a delivery.

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India B would have hoped to wrap up India C’s innings quickly, but Anshul Kamboj had other ideas. Suthar needed a steady partner, and Kamboj not only stuck around but also injected momentum back into the innings with a blistering 38 off just 27 balls. His counter-attack shifted the pressure back onto India B before Rahul Chahar dismissed him, clean-bowling him after his entertaining cameo. Meanwhile, Suthar displayed great composure, reaching his well-deserved fifty before lunch, with Vyshak Vijay Kumar providing support at the other end.

Right after lunch, Chahar struck for India B, dismissing Vyshak, leaving Suthar with just one partner to push the total past 500. Suthar played smartly, guiding India C to a formidable 525 before Chahar eventually got the better of him as well. Sandeep Warrier remained unbeaten on 11 at the other end. Chahar and Kumar were the standout bowlers for India B, claiming four wickets each.

Up against a daunting total, India B’s openers, Easwaran and Jagadeesan, provided the ideal start. Despite some disciplined bowling from India C, the partnership transferred the pressure back onto the fielding side. At stumps, India B trailed by 401 runs, with the openers setting a strong foundation.

Brief scores: India C 525 ( Ishan Kishan 111, Manav Suthar 82, Baba Indrajith 78, Ruthuraj Gaikwad 58, Rahul Chahar 4/73, Mukesh Kumar 4/126) vs India B 124/0 (Abhimanyu Easwaran 51*, Narayan Jagadeesan 67*).

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