Cricket

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.

India A's Shams Mulani played a heroic innings, scoring an unbeaten 88, to rescue his team from a precarious position of 93 for 5 on the opening day of their Duleep Trophy match against India D. Mulani's knock, coupled with Tanush Kotian's crucial 53, helped India A post a respectable total of 288 for 8 at stumps.India A's batting woes began early as Vidwath Kaverappa's fiery spell reduced them to 21 for 2. However, Riyan Parag's counterattacking 37 and Mulani's steady presence at the crease provided some respite. But wickets continued to fall, with Tilak Varma, Shashwat Rawat, and Kumar Kushagra all departing cheaply.With India A reeling at 144 for 6, Mulani and Kotian forged a crucial 91-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Kotian, known for his aggressive batting, struck six fours and a six in his 53-run knock. Mulani, on the other hand, played a more patient innings, anchoring the partnership and ensuring India A's recovery.Kotian's dismissal to left-arm spinner Saurabh Kumar brought Prasidh Krishna to the crease. The Karnataka seamer, making his comeback after a seven-month injury layoff, will have a chance to prove his fitness against a strong India D batting lineup on Friday.India D, who were beaten outright in their previous game, will be eager to push the game forward and secure a victory. The match is poised for an exciting second day, with both teams looking to gain an advantage.

Riyan Parag, the young and talented all-rounder from Assam, has once again showcased his exceptional batting skills with an effortless six over long-off in the ongoing Duleep Trophy match between India A and India D. The shot, which has been widely shared on social media, has left fans and experts in awe of Parag's ability to hit the ball with power and precision.Parag, who is representing India A in the tournament, played a crucial cameo of 39 runs off just 27 deliveries in the first innings. His innings was characterized by aggressive strokeplay, with the six over long-off being the highlight. The shot came off the bowling of Arshdeep Singh, who is known for his pace and accuracy.Parag's six has garnered widespread attention on social media, with fans and his IPL team, Rajasthan Royals, expressing their admiration for the shot. The official Twitter handle of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared the video of the six, captioning it as "That shot by Riyan Parag! It was the first 6 of India A's innings."Rajasthan Royals, who have witnessed Parag's big-hitting prowess firsthand in the IPL, also shared the video on their Twitter handle, praising the young batsman's skills. "Riyan Parag, you beauty!" the caption read.Parag's performance in the Duleep Trophy comes after he missed out on a maiden Test call-up for the series against Bangladesh. However, his impressive form in the domestic tournament could put him back in contention for a place in the national team.Parag made his white-ball debut for India earlier this year in July, playing in a T20I on the tour of Zimbabwe. He has since played six T20Is and one ODI for India, impressing the selectors with his aggressive batting style and ability to hit the ball cleanly.Parag's six in the Duleep Trophy is a testament to his talent and potential. The young batsman has shown that he has the ability to play at the highest level, and he will be one to watch in the years to come.

Indian wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant injected a dose of humor into the Duleep Trophy encounter between India A and India B in Bengaluru. During the pre-match huddle of the India A team, Pant stealthily joined the group, listening intently to skipper Shubman Gill's speech.The incident, captured on video and shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), drew mixed reactions on social media. While some found it amusing, others expressed concern that such actions could undermine the seriousness of the tournament.Pant's prank came amidst his return to the Test side after a 20-month absence. He was named in India's 16-man squad for the opening match of the two-Test series against Bangladesh, starting September 19.The squad also marked the comeback of Virat Kohli, who missed the five-Test series against England earlier this year due to the birth of his second child. Uncapped left-arm fast bowler Yash Dayal received his maiden Test call-up, while fast bowler Mohammed Shami remains on a comeback trail.India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah returned to the squad after the T20 World Cup. He is expected to play a couple of more Tests against New Zealand in October-November before the team's tour of Australia for a five-Test series.Pant's return to the national side comes after a challenging period. He met with a road accident in December 2022, which sidelined him from top-flight cricket until the IPL this year. The 26-year-old made his international comeback in the T20 World Cup, where India emerged victorious.Despite chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar's earlier indication that Shami was targeting a return in the first Test against Bangladesh, the right-arm seamer failed to make the cut. Dayal, who had a remarkable redemption with his India call-up, was once smashed for five consecutive sixes by Rinku Singh in an IPL match.

Musheer Khan's scintillating 181-run knock in the first innings propelled India B to a 76-run victory over India A in the opening round of the Duleep Trophy at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The all-rounder's gritty performance laid the foundation for India B's triumph.Khan, who had impressed in the Ranji Trophy, seized the opportunity to showcase his talent in the Duleep Trophy. On the opening day, he displayed remarkable temperament and determination, scoring a magnificent 181 runs off 373 deliveries. His innings, which included 16 fours and five sixes, lifted India B from a precarious 94/7 to a respectable 321 in the first innings.This total proved crucial, giving India B a 90-run lead that ultimately proved decisive. Khan's partnership with Navdeep Saini was particularly noteworthy, with the all-rounder providing constant encouragement from the non-striker's end."My preparation was really good with my father. I had done well in Ranji so I knew I could get an opportunity here. Every ball I was encouraging him from the non-striker's end to play it out," said Khan after being named Player of the Match.India B skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran expressed his delight at his team's victory, which earned them six points in the Duleep Trophy. "We were looking to bowl first. Coming back from 90/7 to win the game is special. To be on the winning side is really good," he said.In contrast, India A captain Shubman Gill lamented his team's mistakes in terms of batting and bowling strategies. "Musheer and Saini played really well. Seeing that there's not much happening from the wicket, we could've gone to the bouncer option earlier to Saini," he said."But out there we went for the option we felt was the best. The intensity with which we bowled in the second innings was commendable. Until about lunch time we were talking that if we get a 100-run partnership we could've got the target," Gill added.India A will now face India D, while India B will take on India C in Anantpur from September 12.

Akash Deep's exceptional bowling performance has propelled India A to the brink of victory in the first-round match of the Duleep Trophy against India B. The right-arm pacer's five-wicket haul in the second innings has set India A a target of 275 to win with ample time remaining on the final day.Deep's dominance continued after his impressive four-wicket effort in the first innings. He ripped through India B's batting lineup, dismissing key batsmen and restricting them to a mere 184 runs. His match haul of nine wickets is a testament to his skill and consistency.The 27-year-old has made a significant impact in his nascent international career, having played one Test against England earlier this year. His fiery spell in Ranchi earned him three wickets, showcasing his potential as a formidable fast bowler.Deep's journey to the top has been marked by hard work and determination. After moving from Bihar to Kolkata, he grabbed attention in his second first-class match, taking six wickets against Gujarat. He finished the season with an impressive 35 wickets.His success extended to white-ball cricket, earning him an Indian Premier League contract with Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2021. Since then, he has continued to impress with his pace and accuracy.India A will now look to capitalize on Deep's heroics and secure victory on the final day. The match promises to be an exciting contest, with India B needing to produce a remarkable batting performance to overcome the deficit.

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.

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.