Cricket

India A emerged victorious in their Duleep Trophy clash against India D, securing a commanding 186-run win. After suffering a setback in their opening match, India A bounced back with a dominant performance, setting a formidable target of 488 for their opponents.India D's pursuit of a draw began promisingly, with opener Abhimanyu Easwaran and Yash Dubey forging a solid partnership. However, the dismissal of Dubey and Devdutt Padikkal in quick succession halted their momentum.Despite a valiant effort from captain Shreyas Iyer and wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, India D's batting lineup struggled to withstand the relentless bowling attack of India A. Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian proved to be the tormentors-in-chief, sharing seven wickets between them.Mulani, who had earlier contributed a crucial 89 in India A's first innings, claimed four wickets in the match, including the prized scalp of Iyer. Kotian, the Mumbai all-rounder, wreaked havoc in the lower order, picking up a four-wicket haul to seal the victory in the final session.India A's batting prowess was on full display in their first innings, with Pratham Singh and Tilak Varma amassing centuries. Their contributions laid the foundation for a commanding total of 380 for 3, which ultimately proved insurmountable for India D.With this victory, India A remains in contention to finish atop the table heading into the final round of the Duleep Trophy. Their performance serves as a testament to their depth and resilience, as they look to secure a berth in the championship match.

India C and India B played out a tame draw in their second Duleep Trophy 2024-25 fixture in Anantapur. Haryana seamer Anshul Kamboj's career-best haul of 8 for 69 and Ruturaj Gaikwad's second half-century of the match were the major highlights on the dull fourth day.Resuming on 309 for 7, India B were bowled out for 332 with Kamboj picking up all three wickets to fall. Abhimanyu Easwaran, the India B captain, carried his bat through and was unbeaten on 157 as his side conceded a 193-run lead early on the final day.India C, however, decided to settle for the first-innings honours and were at 128 for 4 after 37 overs when both captains decided to shake hands. Kamboj's performance was among his most impactful yet in a nascent first-class career. Coming into his 15th game, Kamboj hadn't taken more than three wickets in a single innings previously. His eight-for in Anantapur brought him the second-best figures by a fast bowler in Duleep Trophy history, behind Debasis Mohanty (10 for 46).India C lost B Sai Sudharsan early when Mukesh Kumar had him bowled for 11. Gaikwad and Rajat Patidar put on 96 for the second wicket, Patidar hitting 42 to go with his first innings 40, before falling to Musheer Khan's left-arm spin. Rahul Chahar, the legspinner, then had first-innings centurion Ishan Kishan for 1, followed by Gaikwad's scalp in his very next over.The only blip for India C in this game was a leg injury to pacer Sandeep Warrier, which led to him hobbling off after just 1.1 overs. Manav Suthar, who picked up a match-winning seven-for in the first round of matches, went wicketless in this game. His figures read: 33-4-85-0. Musheer, the player of the match last week for his 181, managed just 1 while Sarfaraz Khan, asked to play in this fixture before linking up with the Indian Test squad in Chennai, managed 16.

Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson's scintillating knock of 40 off 45 kept India D in the hunt for an improbable victory against India A in the second round match of the Duleep Trophy.Chasing a mammoth 488, India D were reeling at 62/1 on Day 4 when Samson stepped up to the plate. He began his innings with a boundary off Tanush Kotian and quickly shifted gears, smashing a six against Shams Mulani.Samson's aggressive approach continued as he hit another boundary and a maximum in the 57th over of Kotian. However, his innings was cut short in the 61st over when Kotian dismissed him for 40.Despite Samson's departure, Ricky Bhui remained solid at the crease, scoring a century to keep India D's hopes alive. Earlier, Tilak Varma and Pratham Singh had made smooth hundreds to drive India A to a commanding position.Varma remained unbeaten on 111, while Pratham made an impressive 122 as India A declared their second innings closed at 380 for three. This gave them an overall lead of 487, and India D had to chase down 488 for victory.With Samson's heroics and Bhui's century, India D managed to reduce the deficit to 426 runs at the end of Day 4. The match remains evenly poised, with India D needing a further 284 runs to win on the final day.

India A vs India D: India D Faces Uphill Battle on Day 4 of Duleep TrophyIndia D will resume its innings on Day 4 of the ongoing Duleep Trophy match against India A, trailing by a massive 426 runs. The match, being played in Anantpur, has seen India A dominate proceedings so far.On Day 3, India A posted a formidable total of 488, thanks to a century from Tilak Varma. The left-handed batter scored 111 off 154 deliveries, anchoring the innings and providing a solid foundation for his team.India A skipper Mayank Agarwal also contributed with a half-century, scoring 56 runs at the top of the order. The openers provided a solid start, setting the platform for the middle order to capitalize.In response, India D struggled to keep up with the pace set by their opponents. They lost an early wicket, but Ricky Bhui and Yash Dubey have managed to steady the ship. The duo will resume their partnership on Day 4, with the onus on them to provide a solid foundation for their team.India D will need to bat with patience and determination if they are to chase down the target. The pitch has shown signs of wear and tear, which could make batting difficult. However, the team will be buoyed by the fact that they have already shown some resilience in this match.The match is evenly poised heading into Day 4, with both teams having a chance to emerge victorious. India A will be confident of wrapping up the match quickly, while India D will be determined to pull off an unlikely victory.

Indian Test cricket's long-standing fringe player Abhimanyu Easwaran showcased his resilience and determination in the second-round Duleep Trophy match against India-C at the Rural Development Trust (RDT) Stadium B-ground.Easwaran, who has often been on the cusp of Test selection, anchored his team's innings with a gritty 143 (262b, 12x4, 1x6) on Saturday. His unbeaten knock helped India-B end the third day on 309 for seven, still 216 runs behind India-C's first-innings total of 525.Easwaran's innings was a testament to his patience and ability to grind out runs in challenging conditions. He shared a 129-run opening partnership with N. Jagadeesan (70), who was caught behind off medium-pacer Anshul Kamboj.However, India-B's progress was hampered by a middle-order collapse. Musheer Khan and Sarfaraz Khan fell cheaply to Kamboj, while Rinku Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy were dismissed by Kamboj and Markande, respectively.Kamboj emerged as the star performer for India-C, claiming a five-wicket haul. His incisive bowling put India-B under pressure and restricted their scoring rate.Despite the setbacks, Easwaran remained unyielding at the crease. He brought up his 24th first-class hundred off 178 balls, displaying his unwavering focus and determination.Easwaran's innings was a reminder of his potential and the value he can bring to the Indian Test team. His ability to bat for long periods and anchor the innings could prove invaluable in the future.

Tilak Varma, a rising star in Indian cricket, has made a resounding statement with a magnificent century in the ongoing Duleep Trophy match between India A and India D. His unbeaten 111 off 193 balls has not only strengthened his case for a place in the Indian team but has also sparked a viral celebration from his teammate, Avesh Khan.Varma's innings was a testament to his composure and skill. He paced his innings perfectly, reaching his hundred with a calm and collected late cut to the third man region. His knock was laced with nine boundaries, showcasing his ability to find the gaps and rotate the strike.The celebration of his century was equally memorable. As Varma acknowledged the cheers from the crowd, Khan, who was watching from the stands, erupted in a series of hilarious dance moves. The moment was captured on camera and has since gone viral on social media.Varma's century was part of a dominant performance by India A. Pratham Singh also scored an impressive 122, helping India A declare their second innings at 380 for three. This gave them an overall lead of 487, putting India D in a precarious position.India D's chase got off to a shaky start as they lost Atharva Taide early on. However, Ricky Bhui and Yash Dubey steadied the ship, ensuring that their side would enter the final day without further damage.Varma's performance has reignited hopes that he can become India's next all-format player. His ability to score runs consistently and his calm demeanor under pressure make him a valuable asset to any team.As the Duleep Trophy enters its final stages, all eyes will be on Varma and India A as they look to secure victory and cement their place as one of the top teams in the competition.

Shreyas Iyer's Duleep Trophy Failure Draws Criticism from Former Pakistan Batter Basit AliIndia batter Shreyas Iyer's dismal performance in the first innings of the Duleep Trophy match against India A has sparked criticism from former Pakistan batter Basit Ali. Iyer, who captained India D, failed to make an impact, getting dismissed for a duck after facing just seven deliveries.Ali expressed disappointment over Iyer's lack of contribution, stating that he "should've scored 100-200 runs." He questioned Iyer's concentration and hunger for Test cricket, suggesting that the batter is more focused on boundaries than the longer format of the game."As a cricketer, it saddens me to see him. If you are getting out in front, your concentration isn't in the game. And especially the red-ball game. He has scored two centuries in the World Cup, he's an IPL-winning captain, he should've scored 100-200 runs here," Ali said on his YouTube channel.Ali further expressed doubts about Iyer's desire for Test cricket, stating that he lacks the determination required for the format. "Iyer doesn't have the hunger for red-ball cricket anymore. He's only hungry for boundaries. You should prioritize it. If he's thinking he is similar to Virat Kohli after hitting two centuries in World Cup, no, it doesn't happen that way," he added.Iyer's poor performance in the Duleep Trophy comes after a string of subpar performances in the Test format. He has failed to reach the 50-run mark in his previous 13 outings, leading to his exclusion from the Indian Test squad.Ali's criticism highlights the concerns surrounding Iyer's Test credentials. The batter will need to rediscover his form and demonstrate a greater hunger for the longer format if he wants to regain his place in the Indian Test team.

India B openers Abhimanyu Easwaran and Narayan Jagadeesan put on a solid opening stand of 124 runs on the second day of their Duleep Trophy match against India C in Anantapur. The duo remained unbeaten at stumps, with Easwaran on 51 and Jagadeesan on 67, as India B trailed by 401 runs.Easwaran, the experienced Bengal batter, played a patient innings, facing 91 balls and hitting four fours and a six. Jagadeesan, the wicketkeeper, was more aggressive, scoring his runs off 126 deliveries with eight boundaries.India C bowlers failed to make any inroads into the India B batting, with none of them able to pick up a wicket in the 36 overs bowled. Frontline bowler Sandeep Warrier was forced to leave the field due to an injury early in the innings.Earlier, Manav Suthar played a crucial role in helping India C post a mammoth first-innings total of 525. The 22-year-old scored a well-crafted 82 off 156 balls, anchoring the innings after the departure of overnight batter Ruturaj Gaikwad.Suthar found support from Anshul Kamboj, who made a quickfire 38 off 27 balls, and Mayank Markande, who contributed 17 off 21 deliveries. Suthar's knock included 11 fours and three sixes, and it was his fourth First-Class half-century and first in the Duleep Trophy.Leg-spinner Rahul Chahar was the most successful bowler for India C, taking 4/73, while pacer Mukesh Kumar also chipped in with 4/126.On the first day, Ishan Kishan had marked his First-Class return with a counterattacking century, scoring 111 off 126 balls to help India C reach 357 for five.

India A extended their dominance over India D on the second day of the Duleep Trophy match, amassing a formidable lead of 222 runs at the close of play. Resuming their second innings at 0/0, India A openers Mayank Agarwal and Pratham Singh forged a solid partnership, adding 115 runs for the first wicket.Agarwal, the India A captain, anchored the innings with a composed 56 off 87 deliveries, while Singh remained unbeaten on 59 from 82 balls. Their partnership laid the foundation for a substantial lead, putting India D under immense pressure.India A's bowlers had earlier restricted India D to a modest 183 in their first innings. Khaleel Ahmed and Aaqib Khan were the standout performers with three wickets each, while Prasidh Krishna, returning from injury, chipped in with a crucial wicket.Devdutt Padikkal was the lone bright spot for India D, scoring a gritty 92 off 124 balls. However, his efforts were not enough to prevent his team from being bowled out for a below-par total.In their first innings, India A had posted a competitive 290, thanks to a half-century from Agarwal and a quickfire 31 from Harshit Rana. Rana also impressed with the ball, claiming four wickets to end India A's innings.With India A firmly in control of the match, India D face an uphill task to salvage a positive result. They will need to produce a much-improved performance in both batting and bowling to close the gap and challenge their opponents.