Duleep Trophy: India B respond well after conceding gigantic total
India C have extended their dominance over India B in the ongoing Duleep Trophy fixture in Anantapur. Day 2 of the contest saw Ruturaj Gaikwad's team finish at 525/10 after resuming the day at 357/5. In reply, India B have made a sparkling start with openers Abhimanyu Easwaran and N Jagadeesan recording an unbeaten century stand. Here is the day report.
India C post a strong total
The day started with Gaikwad (48*) and Manav Suthar (8*) resuming the India C innings. While the skipper departed soon after completing his fifty, the latter made 82 runs. Tail-enders Mayank Markande (17) and Anshul Kamboj (38) supported Suthar well as India C finished at 525/10. Leg-spinner Rahul Chahar dismissed three batters on Day 2. Overall, he and Mukesh Kumar took four wickets apiece.
Crucial knock from Gaikwad
Gaikwad's impressive performance included scoring 48 of his 58 runs in boundaries alone, with nine fours and two sixes. He faced 74 balls. With his latest fifty, Ruturaj has raced to 2,150 runs across 31 First-Class games at a decent average of 41-plus, as per ESPNcricinfo. While this was his 11th fifty, the opener has also clobbered six tons.
A fine 82 from Manav Suthar
As mentioned, Suthar was India C's stand-out batter on Day 2. Batting at number seven, he made 82 off 156 balls (11 fours, 2 sixes). This was his fourth FC fifty as he has raced to 590 runs across 16 games at 30-plus. He has also claimed 73 wickets with his left-arm spin at 22.90. Suthar claimed a seven-wicket haul in his preceding outing.
Mukesh lets his performance talk
Mukesh, who was snubbed for the 1st Bangladesh Test match, made his presence felt with figures worth 4/126 from 32 overs. The pacer picked five wickets in the match against India D in round 1 of the 2024 Duleep Trophy. As per ESPNcricinfo, Mukesh now owns 175 wickets in First-Class cricket. He claimed his 10th four-fer.
Chahar takes his 6th four-wicket haul
Chahar was instrumental, picking 4/73 from 16.1 overs. The dangerous Suthar was Chahar's final victim. Playing his 72nd FC match, Chahar now owns 79 wickets. This was his 6th four-wicket haul He missed the round 1 match.
A strong response from India B
Responding to the mammoth total, India B have responded brilliantly with Easwaran and Jagadeesan recording an unbeaten 124-run stand in 36 overs. Both batters were excellent in the final session as they even brought up individual half-centuries. While Easwaran returned on 51* off 91 balls, Jagadeesan made 67* off 126 deliveries. However, India B are still trailing by 401 runs.
