Duleep Trophy: India B-India C match heading toward draw
The ongoing second-round Duleep Trophy match between India B and India C is heading toward a draw in Anantapur. Day 3 of the duel saw India B finish at 309/7 while responding to India C's first innings score of 525. With two innings left in the game, a winning outcome on the final day is highly unlikely. Here are further details.
Easwaran, Kamboj headline day's play
India B, who resumed at their overnight score of 124/0, made a poor start on Day 2 as Narayan Jagadeesan (70) could only add three runs to his overnight score. However, his opening partner and skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran slammed a fine century and returned unbeaten. India C pacer Anshul Kamboj ran through the opposition batting line-up with a remarkable fifer.
24th century from Easwaran's blade
Easwaran returned unbeaten on 143 off 262 balls (12 fours, 1 six) As per ESPNcricinfo, with this century, Easwaran has raced past 7,150 runs in First-Class cricket at 47-plus. This is now his 24th ton in FC cricket. He also owns 29 fifties in the longest format. Before this knock, Easwaran managed 13 and four runs respectively in round 1 of Duleep Trophy 2024.
A fine hand from Jagadeesan
Jagadeesan made 70 off 137 balls with the help of eight fours. With this knock, Jagadeesan has raced to 2,681 runs in 43 First-Class matches at an average of 46-plus. Overall, this was his ninth half-century in this format along with eight tons. The 2024 Ranji Trophy season saw him slam a double-century and a triple-ton.
Fifer for Kamboj
Kamboj finished the day with figures worth 5/66 in 23.5 overs. He delivered a remarkable spell as prominent names like Musheer Khan, Sarfaraz Khan, and Rinku Singh bagged low scores. The pacer also trapped half-centurion N Jagadeesan. The 23-year-old bagged his maiden FC fifer as he has raced to 32 wickets, averaging 36-plus. He claimed three wickets in the season opener as well.
Summary of the first innings
India C posted a massive total of 525/10 while batting first. While Ishan Kishan (111) hammered a brilliant hundred, Ruturaj Gaikwad, (58), Baba Indrajith (78), and Manav Suthar (82) were the others to score over 50 for India C. Mukesh Kumar and Rahul Chahar dismissed four batters each. India B have made a strong response as he game is heading toward a draw.
