Cricket

India A vs India B: India B Bowled Out for 184, India A Needs 275 to WinOn Day 4 of the Duleep Trophy match between India A and India B in Bengaluru, India B was bowled out for 184, setting India A a target of 275 runs to win.Resuming the day at 150/6, India B added only 34 runs to their overnight score. Washington Sundar, who was unbeaten on 6 at the end of Day 3, was dismissed for 16.Khaleel Ahmed and Akash Deep were the stars with the ball for India A, taking three and five wickets respectively. Ahmed dismissed Sundar, while Deep picked up the last five wickets to wrap up the innings.India A will now need to score 275 runs in the second innings to win the match. They have a strong batting lineup, led by Priyank Panchal, who scored a century in the first innings.

Former India wicketkeeper Vijay Dahiya has heaped praise on Musheer Khan, hailing his "strong mindset" and predicting a bright future for the young batter in the Indian team. Khan's impressive 181 for India B against India A in the ongoing Duleep Trophy has caught the attention of Dahiya, who believes the youngster has the potential to become a valuable asset for the national side.Dahiya highlighted Khan's consistency as a key factor in his success. "He started off from where he left the last season. He scored runs in the Ranji Trophy semifinal and final and then a hundred on the opening day of domestic cricket in 2024," Dahiya said.The former wicketkeeper also praised Khan's transformation from a left-arm spinner to a batsman, attributing it to his hard work and dedication. "Agar aap mehnat se kisi cheez ke peeche pad jaaye, shiddat se kisi cheez ke peeche pad jaaye to wo zarur milti hai (if you work hard for something, you will get it eventually)," Dahiya said.Dahiya also spoke about the positive impact of senior players like Rishabh Pant and Ishant Sharma on budding talents in the Delhi Premier League (DPL). "Rishabh Pant played just a match but the time he spent with boys in the hotel and in the practice motivated them," Dahiya said. "Ishant attended all the practice sessions and spent time with each of the boys. Unfortunately, he couldn't play due to an injury."Dahiya believes that the guidance and support from experienced players like Pant and Sharma can help young players develop their skills and confidence. "All the boys praised Rishabh and Ishant because they never let them feel inferior to them. Instead, they felt a sense of belongingness and it calmed their nerves," he added.

The Duleep Trophy, the season-opening domestic cricket tournament in India, has witnessed a surge in participation from top players this year, thanks to pressure from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Former India cricketer Vijay Dahiya has praised the players for prioritizing the tournament."Domestic tournaments are crucial for the game," Dahiya told IANS. "When youngsters enter the side, the value of their runs is higher if they're scored against strong bowlers. I'm delighted to see the talent on display in this year's Duleep Trophy."Dahiya, who is currently the head coach of Purani Dilli-6 in the Adani Delhi Premier League (DPL), believes that confidence is paramount in knockout games. "Confidence is essential, especially when you're making a comeback," he said. "We lost our first game in the DPL, but we've bounced back. The support staff has created an environment where players can perform to their best."The DPL has been a resounding success, providing a platform for young players to showcase their skills. "The DPL is a brilliant concept," Dahiya said. "It gives opportunities to around 200 players. Credit must go to Rohan Jaitley for organizing it so well. The tournament will only grow from here."Dahiya emphasized the importance of countering South Delhi Superstarz's key batters, Ayush Badoni and Priyansh Arya, in the upcoming semifinal. "They're the main pillars of their team," he said. "We need to get them out early."The Duleep Trophy and the DPL have played a vital role in developing Indian cricket. They provide opportunities for players to hone their skills and compete against the best in the country. The BCCI's emphasis on domestic tournaments is a testament to their commitment to fostering the growth of the game at all levels.

Rishabh Pant, the dynamic Indian wicketkeeper-batter, has made a resounding statement in his return to red-ball cricket with a blistering half-century for India B in the Duleep Trophy. After a disappointing first-innings dismissal, Pant showcased his unwavering determination and exceptional talent with a 34-ball half-century against India A in Bengaluru on Saturday.In the first innings, Pant was dismissed for a mere seven runs by Akash Deep, with India A skipper Shubman Gill taking a brilliant catch. However, in the second innings, Pant unleashed his full potential, smashing nine boundaries and two towering sixes before being dismissed for 61 off 47 deliveries by Tanush Kotian.Pant's innings was a testament to his resilience and unwavering spirit. Since his horrific car accident in December 2022, he has been working tirelessly to regain his fitness and form. His performance in the Duleep Trophy is a clear indication that he is well on his way to reclaiming his place in the Indian Test team.Pant's half-century was not only a personal triumph but also a significant boost for India B. The team, which also includes other promising young players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan, is aiming to make a strong impression in the Duleep Trophy.The match between India A and India B is a crucial opportunity for players to showcase their skills and stake their claim for a place in the Indian team. With Pant leading the charge, India B will be confident of putting up a strong performance and emerging victorious.

In a thrilling encounter at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Musheer Khan and his elder brother Sarfaraz Khan showcased their batting prowess in the Duleep Trophy clash between India B and India A.Musheer Khan, batting for India B, played a remarkable innings in the first innings, smashing 181 runs. However, his second innings was cut short when he was dismissed for a duck by Akash Deep.Undeterred by his brother's dismissal, Sarfaraz Khan stepped up to the plate and launched a blistering attack on Akash Deep, who had dismissed his brother. In a single over, Sarfaraz hit five consecutive fours, showcasing his exceptional batting skills.India B restricted India A to 231 runs in the first innings, gaining a significant 90-run lead. At Tea on Day 3, India B was 33/3, with the match evenly poised.Akash Deep opened the bowling in the final session, but Sarfaraz Khan was unfazed. He left the first delivery alone, but then unleashed a series of elegant shots. He cut a wide delivery for a boundary, drove a good-length ball through the covers for another four, and flicked an inswinger past square leg for a third boundary.Sarfaraz continued his onslaught, driving an overpitched ball straight of mid-off and then cracking a short delivery square past point for the fifth boundary of the over. His 46-run knock, which included seven fours and a six, came off just 36 balls before he was eventually dismissed by Avesh Khan.

India's star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant made a remarkable comeback to First Class cricket with a stunning catch to dismiss India A opener Mayank Agarwal in the ongoing Duleep Trophy match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.Pant, who last played a First Class match in December 2022, suffered a life-threatening car crash later that month, sustaining career-ending injuries. However, he made a miraculous recovery and returned to cricket earlier this year in the Indian Premier League (IPL), before featuring for India in the T20 World Cup-winning campaign.After a gap of almost two years, Pant was back in the whites as he took the field for the Abhimanyu Easwaran-led India B. While he might have failed to perform with the bat, hoping to impress the selectors for the upcoming Tests against Bangladesh, Pant showcased his brilliant glovework on Day 2.The incident happened in the 16th over of India A's innings when Navdeep Saini bowled a length ball, which angled down to the leg side. Agarwal, the batter, tried to glance it down the leg side, but got the faintest of touch on the ball. Pant dived down the leg side, before taking a stunning catch with both hands.Pant's catch was a testament to his exceptional reflexes and athleticism, which have made him one of the best wicketkeepers in the world. It was also a reminder of his determination and resilience, as he continues to overcome the challenges posed by his injuries.Meanwhile, Saini reminded of his presence among the fringe pacers with a quality new ball spell that helped India B to keep India A in check at 134 for two in the first innings on Day 2. India B needed their bowlers to carry on the excellent effort of Musheer Khan (181, 373b, 16x4, 5x6) that powered 'B' to 321 in their first innings.KL Rahul (23, 80 balls) and Riyan Parag (27, 49 balls) are at the crease at stumps, with India A in arrears by 187 runs. Saini, who is out of favor since the 2021 away series against Australia, showed some spark to eke out the wickets of India A skipper Shubman Gill (25) and his opening partner Mayank Agarwal (36).The right-arm quick broke the first-wicket alliance 57 between Gill and Agarwal at the stroke of tea to give his side the first breakthrough.

Musheer Khan, a rising star in Indian cricket, has announced his arrival on the big stage with a remarkable 181-run knock in his Duleep Trophy debut for India B against India A. The 19-year-old left-handed batter displayed exceptional composure and dominance, facing 373 deliveries and guiding his team to a competitive first-innings score of 321.Musheer's innings stood out amidst a batting collapse, as wickets fell around him. He found a reliable partner in Navdeep Saini, and together they orchestrated a record-breaking 205-run partnership for the eighth wicket, setting the highest such stand in the tournament's history.With this incredible debut, Musheer has surpassed some of cricket's elite, including Sachin Tendulkar, on the list of highest scores by a teenager in Duleep Trophy history. His 181 now sits third on the list, behind Baba Aparajith's 212 and Yash Dhull's 193.Musheer's journey to this moment has been remarkable. Growing up in Mumbai's cricket-rich ecosystem, the younger brother of Sarfaraz Khan has consistently shown potential. His early rise through the ranks included setting records in age-group cricket and eventually breaking into Mumbai's senior setup. However, his Duleep Trophy debut innings may be his crowning achievement thus far, marking him as a future star for Indian cricket.India B were in deep trouble at 94/7 when Musheer and Saini combined to salvage the innings. Musheer's resilience and composure under pressure were reminiscent of seasoned pros, which bodes well for his prospects at the highest level. While his immediate selection for India remains uncertain, this innings has certainly made selectors take notice.With Musheer's meteoric rise, it seems only a matter of time before he joins his brother Sarfaraz in representing India on the international stage. His exceptional talent, coupled with his ability to perform under pressure, suggests that he has the potential to become a mainstay in the Indian cricket team for years to come.

Ruturaj Gaikwad's Star Power Shines as Fan Invades Pitch to Touch His FeetIn a heartwarming display of admiration, a fan breached the field during the Duleep Trophy 2024 match between India C and India D to express his reverence for Ruturaj Gaikwad. The incident, reminiscent of a similar moment involving MS Dhoni in IPL 2023, highlights the growing popularity of the young Indian cricketer.Gaikwad, leading India C, was caught off guard as the fan rushed onto the field and touched his feet. The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper, known for his composure, remained calm and gently helped the fan up, shaking his hand.This incident underscores Gaikwad's rising star status in Indian cricket. The 27-year-old, a protégé of Dhoni at CSK, has quickly amassed a loyal fan base. His impressive performances, including a century in the recent Ranji Trophy, have earned him widespread recognition.On the field, India D, led by Shreyas Iyer, held a 202-run lead at stumps on Day 2. Despite promising knocks from Devdutt Padikkal (56) and Iyer (54), India D were struggling at 206/8 in their second innings. India C, on the other hand, had been bowled out for 168 in their first innings, with Gaikwad contributing only five runs.Gaikwad's moment with the fan added a touch of drama to the intense contest. As the Duleep Trophy progresses, the spotlight remains on Gaikwad's leadership and his ability to inspire his team to victory.

Shubman Gill's Duleep Trophy Woes Continue as Navdeep Saini StrikesIndia's highly-rated opener Shubman Gill endured another disappointing outing in the Duleep Trophy, failing to make a significant contribution for the second consecutive innings. Playing for India A against India B, Gill's hopes of a strong opening partnership with Mayank Agarwal were dashed by the brilliance of Navdeep Saini.Saini, who has been in impressive form throughout the match, delivered a widish delivery that Gill deemed safe to leave alone. However, the ball had other ideas, crashing into Gill's stumps and leaving him stunned. The dismissal highlighted Gill's struggles in the tournament, as he has failed to convert his starts into substantial scores.Saini's impact on the match extended beyond his bowling performance. He also contributed a valuable 56 runs off 144 balls, forging an important partnership with Musheer Khan to help India B post a respectable total of 321 runs.India B's batting had initially struggled, losing seven wickets for just 94 runs. However, Musheer and Saini steadied the ship, adding an unbeaten 108 runs to guide their team to a competitive position. Musheer played a patient knock of 105 runs off 227 balls, while Saini chipped in with an unbeaten 29 off 74 deliveries.For India A, Khaleel Ahmed, Akash Deep, and Avesh Khan each claimed two wickets, while one wicket came via a runout.Gill's dismissal will be a concern for the Indian team management, as he is seen as a key player in the future. The young opener has shown glimpses of his talent, but he needs to find consistency and convert his starts into big scores.