India A on top against India D in Duleep Trophy
India A have set India D a mammoth target in round 2 of the Duleep Trophy 2024 at Rural Development Trust Stadium, Anantapur. After resuming Day 3 at 115/1, India A rode on Pratham Singh and Tilak Varma's centuries to post a score of 380/3d. Pratham resumed his day with an unbeaten 59. India D are 62/1 at stumps and need 426 runs more.
2nd FC ton for Pratham
Pratham brought up his second First-Class hundred. He ended up scoring 122 off 189 balls (12 fours, 1 six). After laying the foundation with skipper Mayank Agarwal on Day 2, Pratham managed a 104-run stand with fellow centurion Varma before departing. Pratham has raced to 1,690 runs across 30 matches at an average of 35-plus. This includes two hundreds and 10 half-centuries.
Varma smashes his fifth First-Class century
Young Indian batter Varma stayed unbeaten on 111. His knock had nine fours and he faced 193 balls. Riyan Parag came in and alongside Varma, the two added 45 runs. Post Parag's dismissal, Varma was joined by Shashwat Rawat and the two added a solid partnership. Varma owns 1,180 runs at 50-plus average. This was his fifty ton in First-Class cricket (50s: 4).
Shashwat Rawat chips in for India A
Rawat made his presence felt with an unbeaten 64 from 88 balls. he hit 7 fours. Rawat, who scored 15 runs in the 1st innings, has raced to 1,274 runs at an average of close to 50. This was his fifth fifty (100s: 5).
A tough day in office for India D bowlers
India D bowlers managed just two wickets on Day 3. Saurabh Kumar was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets. He dismissed Pratham with Shreyas Iyer taking the catch. Thereafter, he got the key scalp of Parag, who managed a 31-ball 20. Saransh Jain, who did the heavylifting, went wicketless. He bowled 36 overs in the 2nd innings (0/108).
Decent start for India D
India D suffered an early blow in the form of Atharva Taide, who managed a five-ball duck. Khaleel Ahmed got his wicket. Thereafter, the likes of Yash Dubey (15*) and Ricky Bhui (unbeaten 44) have steadied the ship.
