Cricket

Duleep Trophy 2024: India B and India C Clash in Second RoundThe Duleep Trophy 2024 is underway, and the second round promises to be an exciting affair as India B and India C face off. Both teams enter the game on the back of victories in their first round encounters.India B, led by Priyank Panchal, will be looking to continue their winning ways. Despite the absence of Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who have been called up to the national team, the arrival of Rinku Singh provides some much-needed firepower. Sarfaraz Khan, who was also called up by India, will feature for India B, as will his brother Musheer, who was the star of the first round.India C, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, will be a tough opponent for India B. They remain completely unchanged from their first round victory and will be looking to build on their momentum. Gaikwad, who is in excellent form, will be the key man for India C.The match is expected to be a close contest, with both teams evenly matched. India B will be looking to make the most of their home advantage, while India C will be hoping to continue their winning streak.

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.

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.

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.