Cricket

Prasidh Krishna's fiery spell propelled India-A to victory in the Duleep Trophy final, ending the spirited resistance of India-C. The seamer's impressive performance, in only his second game after a lengthy injury layoff, earned him praise from India-A coach Sunil Joshi."I am very glad that he has come back into form and is back in the reckoning," Joshi said. "He was bowling at good speed too, clocking 140's consistently."Joshi also expressed his satisfaction with the sporting track provided for the final. "This was one of the best wickets I have come across in India," he said. "It was nice that there was something for the bowlers and the batters."The crowd's presence was another positive aspect of the match. "It is important to take the game to smaller cities and towns like this," Joshi said. "Some of the kids might be inspired to take up cricket after watching all these Test and IPL players."Joshi lauded Shashwat Rawat, one of the tournament's standout performers. The left-hander not only topped the batting average (85.33) but also displayed solid defense and elegant strokeplay. "I had seen his numbers in the Ranji Trophy as I follow domestic players closely," said Joshi. "He is a compact and elegant player. And I think the selectors led by Ajit Agarkar have done a good job in picking the teams for the Duleep Trophy."Regarding the final, Joshi believed his team played the perfect red-ball cricket. "Captain Mayank Agarwal did a good job," he said. "Our spinners Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian bowled well, and I thought it was a splendid innings by India-C's Sai Sudharsan."

India A emerged victorious in the Duleep Trophy, defeating India C by 132 runs in a thrilling encounter at Anantapur. The triumph was orchestrated by the exceptional bowling performances of Tanush Kotian and Prasidh Krishna, who combined to claim six wickets.India A, starting the final round with a three-point deficit, displayed unwavering determination throughout the four-day contest. Their dominance was evident from the outset, as they set a challenging target of 350 for India C.The chase proved to be a daunting task for India C, who were bowled out for 217 in 81.5 overs. Krishna's impressive figures of 3/50 from 13.5 overs included the final wicket of the match. Kotian, on the other hand, played a pivotal role in triggering a collapse in the opposition ranks.At tea, India C were in a relatively comfortable position at 169 for three, with Sai Sudharsan in fine form. However, Kotian's crucial strikes, including the dismissals of Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Porel, and Pulkit Narang, turned the tide in India A's favor.Earlier in the chase, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Vijaykumar Vyshak had provided some resistance, but their efforts were not enough to prevent India A from gaining the upper hand. Sudharsan's valiant innings of 111 off 206 balls, which included 12 fours, proved to be a lone bright spot for India C.The resistance crumbled when Sudharsan was dismissed by Krishna in the 78th over. Aaquib Khan and Shams Mulani also contributed to India A's victory, dismissing Rajat Patidar and Manav Suthar respectively.In the final stages of the match, Krishna added to his tally by dismissing Anshul Kamboj and Baba Indrajith for ducks, sealing a significant victory for his team.Earlier in the day, India A declared their innings at 286 for six, batting for just a few overs. Riyan Parag (73) and Shashwat Rawat (53) scored fifties, while wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra contributed a vital 42, helping their side extend the overall lead to 349.

India A has extended its lead over India C in the final round of the Duleep Trophy fixtures in Anantapur. Resuming the third day with a 63-run advantage, India A's Riyan Parag and Shashwat Rawat played crucial knocks to bolster their position.Parag, who had not scored a half-century in the competition prior to this match, struck a fluent 73. Rawat, the 23-year-old Baroda batter, continued his impressive form with a second big score in the match, following his 124 in the first innings. His 53 helped India A extend their lead to 333 at stumps with four wickets remaining.The pair added 105 for the fourth wicket, with the partnership broken when left-arm spinner Manav Suthar dismissed Rawat. Kumar Kushagra, the Jharkhand wicketkeeper, remained unbeaten on 40 at the close of play, with Tanush Kotian providing support.India C's hopes of chasing down India A's first-innings total of 297 were dashed by Avesh Khan, who claimed two of the three wickets to fall. India C managed to add just 18 runs to their overnight total, with left-arm spinner Shams Mulani picking up the other wicket.India A, currently placed third in the four-team competition, need an outright victory to have a chance of winning the Duleep Trophy.

India C's batting lineup faltered against India A's bowling attack on day two of their four-day match in Anantapur. Despite a valiant effort from Abishek Porel, India C ended the day trailing by 81 runs.Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, and Ishan Kishan all failed to make significant contributions, leaving India C in a precarious position. However, Porel, who has been in impressive form this season, played a crucial role in reviving the innings. He scored a gritty 82 off 113 deliveries, providing much-needed stability to the batting order.Pulkit Narang, who is seeking to establish himself as a first-class cricketer, will be crucial for India C's hopes of taking the lead on Saturday. He is currently on 99 first-class wickets and will be eager to reach the milestone.Earlier, India A's lower order provided a late boost to their first-innings total. Avesh Khan struck an unbeaten 51, while Prasidh Krishna contributed 34. Shashwat Rawat's century on the opening day had laid the foundation for India A's score of 297.Vijaykumar Vyshak, who has caught the attention of selectors, impressed with the ball for India C. He claimed four wickets for 51 runs, including two of the three remaining wickets on day two. Anshul Kamboj, who had taken eight wickets in the previous game, finished with 3 for 49.

Shashwat Rawat's Unconquered Century Rescues India A from Collapse in Duleep TrophyIndia A's batting lineup faced a severe test on the opening day of their Duleep Trophy encounter against India C in Anantapur. However, a remarkable century from Shashwat Rawat salvaged the innings, guiding his team to a respectable total of 224 for seven.Rawat, a left-handed batter from Baroda, displayed exceptional resilience and skill, remaining unbeaten on 122 off 235 deliveries. His innings was adorned with 15 boundaries, showcasing his ability to play a variety of shots with precision.India A's batting woes began early, with the top order crumbling to 36 for five. Pratham Singh, Mayank Agarwal, Tilak Varma, and Riyan Parag all failed to reach double figures. However, Rawat found an able ally in Shams Mulani, who contributed a valuable 44 off 76 balls.The duo forged a crucial 87-run partnership, providing much-needed stability to the innings. Mulani, who had been the match-winner in the previous game with the ball, proved his all-round abilities with a gritty knock.India C's bowlers, led by Anshul Kamboj, who had claimed eight wickets in an innings last week, put up a strong performance. Kamboj picked up three wickets for 40 runs, while Vijaykumar Vyshak chipped in with two for 33.Despite Rawat's heroics, India C remain in a strong position, sitting atop the Duleep Trophy standings with nine points. They will aim to dismiss India A quickly on day two and secure a crucial victory.

Medium-pacer Anshul Kamboj's impressive performance in the Duleep Trophy has earned him praise and recognition. The 23-year-old was initially surprised by his selection but seized the opportunity to showcase his skills.In the second-round match against India-B, Kamboj's eight-wicket haul for 69 runs played a pivotal role in securing a significant first-innings lead for India-C. His maiden First Class five-wicket haul came on a batting-friendly wicket, highlighting his ability to adapt and excel in challenging conditions.Kamboj's bowling effort was particularly impressive considering the absence of pace spearhead Sandeep Warrier due to a hamstring injury. He and Vijaykumar Vyshak had to shoulder the extra workload, which they did with aplomb.Despite having played only 13 First Class matches prior to the tournament, Kamboj displayed maturity and composure. He explained his strategy of bowling in front of the batters to increase the chances of lbw and bowled dismissals.Among his wickets, Kamboj was particularly proud of dismissing Sarfaraz Khan, a renowned batsman in the domestic circuit. He credited his success to bowling in the right areas and maintaining consistency.India-B skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran, who carried his bat with an unbeaten 157, expressed satisfaction with his ability to bat for an extended period after recovering from a hamstring injury. He emphasized the importance of spending time in the middle and gaining confidence for future matches.Kamboj's performance has not only earned him the Player-of-the-Match award but also raised hopes for his future prospects. His ability to perform under pressure and adapt to different conditions bodes well for his career.

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.

India B Trails India C by 216 Runs on Day 4 of Duleep Trophy 2024India B resumed their innings on Day 4 of the ongoing Duleep Trophy 2024 match against India C, trailing by 216 runs. Abhimanyu Easwaran and Rahul Chahar remained unbeaten at the crease, with Easwaran standing firm at 143.India B had ended Day 3 at 309/7, with Easwaran and Chahar guiding the team towards a draw. The match is poised for a stalemate, with India B requiring 66 runs to avoid a follow-on.Earlier, India C had posted a mammoth 525 in their first innings, thanks to a century from Ishan Kishan. India B's bowlers struggled to contain the opposition's batting lineup, with only Saurabh Kumar managing to take three wickets.In response, India B's top order failed to make significant contributions. However, Easwaran's century and Chahar's unbeaten knock have kept their hopes alive.The match is expected to end in a draw, with both teams unlikely to force a result. India B will be satisfied with their performance, having shown resilience in the face of a strong India C side.

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.