Abhimanyu Easwaran, playing a lone ranger for India B, found it difficult to take his side to India C’s first innings total of 525. Wickets fell at the other end, and Easwaran, the India B skipper, finished on 157 not out, carrying the bat.
The Duleep Trophy match between the two sides ended in a draw, after India C reached 128/4 in their second innings. Their captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad scored 62, which will give him confidence going ahead.
Day 4 began with Easwaran and Rahul Chahar at the crease, but it wasn’t long before Anshul Kamboj struck again with sheer pace, clean-bowling Chahar, and dealing a further blow to India B. Despite the setbacks, Easwaran continued to bat fluently, reaching 150 with ease. Kamboj, in excellent from, dismissed Navdeep Saini next, leaving only Mukesh Kumar to bat. With figures of 8/69, Kamboj capped off a remarkable bowling performance. Mukesh was his final victim, caught by Sai Sudharsan, and it wrapped up India B’s innings.
With India B bowled out early, still trailing by 193 runs, they were on the back foot. India C openers, Sudharsan and Gaikwad, came out with a clear intent to dominate. Playing with an aggressive approach, both batters got going. However, Sudharsan’s over-aggression led to his downfall, clean-bowled by Mukesh while attempting an attacking shot. Rajat Patidar then joined Gaikwad, and the pair managed to form a steady partnership before lunch, putting India C firmly in control.
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The deteriorating pitch brought the spin duo of Tanush Kotian and Shams Mulani into play, and they combined to take seven wickets to dismiss India D for 301.
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Post-lunch, the partnership between Gaikwad and Patidar grew steadily, with both batters looking comfortable. Gaikwad brought up a well-deserved half-century, providing India C the momentum they needed. However, just as the partnership began to look dangerous for India B, Musheer Khan and Chahar made timely breakthroughs, dismissing Patidar and Ishan Kishan respectively. Chahar struck again, removing Gaikwad shortly after, leaving India C in a tricky position with wickets falling. In the end, time proved to be a factor and the game was a draw.
India C took three points and India B got one.
Brief Scores: India C 525 and 128/4 decl. (Ruturaj Gaikwad 62; Rahul Chahar 2/8) vs India B 332 (Abhimanyu Easwaran 157 not out; Anshul Kamboj 8/69). Match drawn
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