By the end of Day 3, both India D and India A had secured significant leads of over 300 runs, against India B and India C, to continue their domination of their Duleep Trophy matches. India D finished at 244/5, with Ricky Bhui unbeaten on 90* and Akash Sengupta on 28*, holding a lead of 311 runs over India B. Meanwhile, India A reached 270/6, with Kumar Kushagra on 40* and TanushKotian on 13*, extending their lead to 333 runs over India C.
India B began Day 3 cautiously with Washington Sundar and Rahul Chahar taking their time at the crease. Sundar’s well-crafted fifty eased some of the early pressure. However, Chahar’s 39-ball resistance ended when Saurabh Kumar struck, followed quickly by Navdeep Saini’s dismissal. Despite Sundar’s efforts, India B’s innings faltered, with Saurabh claiming key wickets. Sundar and Mohit Avasthi’s dismissals wrapped up the innings, leaving India B bowled out for 282.
India D began their second innings with a 67-run lead, but DevduttPadikkal was dismissed early by Saini. Mukesh Kumar then added to the pressure, removing Srikar Bharat, and shortly after, Saini struck again to dismiss Nishant Sindhu, leaving India D reeling with three quick wickets down. Shreyas Iyer and Bhui managed to rebuild with a steady partnership, with Iyer finding form and reaching his fifty. However, Iyer’s resistance ended as Mukesh’s smart bowling claimed another key wicket, further denting India D’s innings.
Sanju Samson was joined by Bhui at the crease, but Bhui had to retire hurt after being struck on the helmet twice by Saini. Akash Sengupta replaced Bhui with India D at 107/4 and offered solid support to Samson, steadily building a partnership that pushed the lead past 200. Just as the duo looked set to take control, Samson played a loose shot and was dismissed by Mukesh. Despite losing Samson, Bhui returned to the crease and, along with Sengupta, constructed a fantastic partnership, taking India D’s lead beyond 300 by the end of Day 3.
In the other fixture, India A began their innings with a 63-run lead, with Pratham Singh and Mayank Agarwal opening against India C. Gaurav Yadav struck early, dismissing Pratham, which brought Tilak Varma to the crease. Varma built a steady partnership with captain Agarwal but was dismissed just before lunch, bowled by Anshul Kamboj, leaving India A at 73/2. Agarwal followed soon after, unable to hold his ground as Kamboj dismantled his stumps, leaving India A in a vulnerable position.
Riyan Parag and Shashwat Rawat took on the responsibility of steadying the innings for India A, pushing their lead beyond 200 runs. Parag impressed with a well-played fifty before tea, giving his team a strong foothold in the match. Building his innings brilliantly, Parag looked threatening with 73 runs but was dismissed by a stunning catch from Ruturaj Gaikwad off Yadav’s bowling. Rawat, too, couldn’t last until the end of the play, falling to Manav Suthar. Kumar Kushagra’s handy knock late in the day ensured India A secured a 300-run lead at the close of play.
Brief Scores
India A 297 and 270/6 (Riyan Parag 73, Shashwat Rawat 53, Kumar Kushagra 40, Anshul Kamboj 2/52) lead India C 234 by 333 runs.
India D349 and 244/5 (Ricky Bhui 90*, Shreyas Iyer 50, Mukesh Kumar 3/80) lead India B 282 (Abhimanyu Easwaran 116, Washington Sundar 87, Saurabh Kumar 5-73) by 311 runs.
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