Cricket

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 D's Shreyas Iyer's Sunglasses Look Goes Viral, But India C Triumphs in Duleep Trophy OpenerIndia D captain Shreyas Iyer's unconventional sunglasses look during the Duleep Trophy match against India A has sparked a buzz on social media. However, despite his stylish appearance, Iyer's team fell short in their pursuit of victory, losing by four wickets.In the opening match of the tournament, Iyer scored 9 and 54, but his efforts were not enough to secure a win for India D. Opting to bowl first, India D restricted India A to 290 runs, with pacer Khaleel Ahmed claiming two quick wickets, including Iyer's dismissal for a duck.When India D came out to bat, they lost their top four wickets for just 55 runs, including Iyer's crucial wicket. The India D captain, who walked in after Atharva Taide was dismissed for 4 off 3 balls, was spotted wearing sunglasses, a look that quickly went viral online.However, Iyer's stay at the crease was brief, as he was dismissed for a 7-ball duck. Fans, who initially praised his 'cool' sunglasses look, soon turned to trolling the right-hander on social media.Despite Iyer's disappointing performance, India D fought back and managed to post a respectable total of 240 runs. However, India C chased down the target with relative ease, thanks to a solid batting performance from their top order.

Ishan Kishan's scintillating century propelled India C to a commanding position on the opening day of the second round of the Duleep Trophy. The left-handed opener, who was a late inclusion in the squad, smashed a counterattacking 111 off 126 deliveries to lay the foundation for India C's imposing total of 357 for 5 at stumps.Kishan, who was originally set to play for India D, was drafted into the India C team on match-eve after making a late dash from Bengaluru. The 24-year-old showed no signs of fatigue as he dominated the proceedings, forging a crucial 189-run partnership with B Indrajith for the third wicket. Indrajith contributed a valuable 78, his second half-century in three innings.Kishan's knock, which included 14 fours and three sixes, marked his official return to red-ball cricket since his Test debut in the Caribbean in July 2023. Last month, he had led Jharkhand in two pre-season games in Tamil Nadu, where he had struck a century in his first outing.India C's batting performance was further bolstered by the return of captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, who had retired hurt in the first over after twisting his ankle. Gaikwad returned to bat at the fall of Indrajith's wicket and added 42 more to his score to remain unbeaten on 46 at stumps.However, India C's progress was not without its setbacks. Seamer Mukesh Kumar picked up three wickets, while Navdeep Saini and legspinner Rahul Chahar claimed one apiece. B Sai Sudharsan and Rajat Patidar, both vying for a place in the Indian middle order, failed to capitalize on strong starts, making 43 and 40 respectively.Despite these minor setbacks, India C will be confident heading into the second day, with Kishan and Gaikwad at the crease and a solid platform to build upon.

Ruturaj Gaikwad Retires Hurt in Duleep Trophy Match, India C Faces Early SetbackIndia C captain Ruturaj Gaikwad's Duleep Trophy campaign took a setback on Thursday when he retired hurt after facing just two balls in their match against India B at the Rural Development Trust Stadium B in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh.Gaikwad, who is also the captain of the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League, twisted his ankle on the second delivery he faced from pacer Mukesh Kumar. He managed to hit a four on the first ball but was forced to leave the field after the injury.The injury is not considered serious, and Gaikwad is expected to bat in the second innings. However, his early departure put India C on the back foot, as they lost their captain and key batsman early in the innings.Despite the setback, India C managed to recover with a solid partnership between Sai Sudharsan and Rajat Patidar. Sudharsan scored 43 runs off 75 balls, while Patidar contributed 40 runs from 67 balls. The duo shared a crucial 92-run stand for the second wicket, facing 140 balls in total.After their promising partnership, both batters were dismissed in quick succession, leaving Ishan Kishan and Baba Indrajith to rebuild the innings.India B, led by Abhimanyu Easwaran, won the toss and opted to bowl first. They put India C on the back foot early, with Gaikwad's injury and the dismissals of Sudharsan and Patidar.However, India C showed resilience and fought back with a solid partnership between Kishan and Indrajith. The duo put on 50 runs for the fourth wicket, helping India C recover from the early setbacks.The match is evenly poised, with India C looking to build on their recovery and India B aiming to take control of the game.

Ishan Kishan's Surprise Inclusion in Duleep Trophy Raises QuestionsIn a surprising turn of events, wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has made an unexpected appearance in the playing XI of the India C team in the second round of the Duleep Trophy. This development has raised eyebrows, as Kishan was previously ruled out of the tournament due to a groin injury.The confusion began when Kishan, a regular in India's cricket squad until last year, was initially ruled out of the Duleep Trophy's first round. The BCCI had announced his injury, sustained during the Buchi Babu Invitational tournament, with Sanju Samson named as his replacement in the India D squad.When the second round squad lists were released, Kishan was not mentioned, and there were no updates about his recovery. However, on September 12, Kishan appeared in the playing XI for India C against India B, causing speculation and confusion among fans and cricket analysts. The second-round announcement had stated no changes in the India C team, adding to the surprise.The uncertainty over how Kishan, initially ruled out with an injury, suddenly joined the India C lineup has escalated without an official statement from the BCCI. Previously, Kishan had stepped away from cricket due to mental health issues, causing him to be dropped from the Indian squads and lose his central contract. His recent century in the Buchi Babu Invitational was seen as a positive sign of his return.With Kishan's unexpected inclusion in the Duleep Trophy, fans await clarification from the BCCI. The situation has led to further speculation about his future in Indian cricket. Some believe that his inclusion indicates a return to form and a potential recall to the national team, while others question the timing and circumstances of his recovery.The BCCI's silence on the matter has only added to the intrigue surrounding Kishan's inclusion. It remains to be seen whether the board will provide an official explanation or whether Kishan's return will remain shrouded in mystery.

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.

Duleep Trophy 2024: India C Fights Back with Suthar's Five-Wicket HaulLeft-arm spinner Manav Suthar emerged as the star performer for India C on Day Two of the Duleep Trophy first round match against India D. Suthar's impressive five-wicket haul helped India C restrict their opponents to 206/8, extending their lead to 202 runs at stumps.Earlier, India D had taken a 14-run first-innings lead thanks to half-centuries from captain Shreyas Iyer (62) and Devdutt Padikkal (57). However, Suthar's brilliance turned the tide in India C's favor.Suthar, who has now claimed four five-wicket hauls in first-class cricket, exploited the rough patches on the pitch to his advantage. He dismissed Iyer, Padikkal, and three other batters to leave India D reeling at 134/6.India C's bowlers continued to dominate in the final session, with Suthar adding two more wickets to his tally. India D's resistance was led by wicketkeeper-batter Kona Bharat, who remained unbeaten on 52.Despite the setback, India D still holds a slender lead of 202 runs. However, India C will be confident of securing an outright victory on Day Three, especially with Suthar in their ranks.

Axar Patel's Heroics Rescue India D from Collapse in Duleep Trophy OpenerIn a thrilling opening day of the Duleep Trophy match between India D and India C in Anantapur, all-rounder Axar Patel emerged as the star performer, rescuing his team from a precarious position with a counter-attacking 86 and then chipping in with two crucial wickets.India D's batting order crumbled early on, with the pace duo of Anshul Kamboj and Vijaykumar Vyshak exploiting the responsive pitch to reduce them to a dismal 48 for six. However, Axar, batting at number seven, played a defiant innings, transitioning from a cautious start to an aggressive approach. He smashed six sixes, including three off left-arm spinner Manav Suthar, and propelled India D's total to 164 in 48.3 overs.Axar's batting heroics were complemented by his bowling contributions. He dismissed Aryan Juyal and Rajat Patidar to dent India C's progress, who ended the day at 91 for four, trailing by 73 runs. Wicketkeeper-batter Abhishek Porel remained unbeaten on 32, while Baba Indrajith was on 14 at stumps.India C's bowlers had earlier made early inroads into India D's batting lineup. Shreyas Iyer fell to a notable delivery from Vyshak, while opener Atharva Taide and Devdutt Padikkal were dismissed cheaply.Despite Axar's heroics, India D's innings was marred by questionable shot selections from several batsmen. Taide's attempted pull shot early in his innings and Padikkal's dismissal at cover off a straightforward ball highlighted the need for more disciplined batting.

Suryakumar Yadav Ruled Out of Duleep Trophy Opener Due to Hand InjuryIndian batsman Suryakumar Yadav has been ruled out of the opening round of the Duleep Trophy due to a hand injury. The setback comes as a blow to both the player and his team, India C, as they prepare to face India D in Ananthapur on September 5th.Yadav sustained the injury during the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament in Coimbatore last week while representing Mumbai. He was forced to miss the final day's play against TNCA XI, unable to participate in the second innings.The exact nature and severity of the injury remain undisclosed, but BCCI sources have confirmed Yadav's unavailability for the Duleep Trophy opener. The batsman has reported to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru for further assessment and rehabilitation.Yadav's absence is a significant setback for India C, as he was expected to play a key role in their batting lineup. The team management will now need to reassess their strategy and potentially explore alternative options to fill the void left by the experienced batsman.The Duleep Trophy will proceed as scheduled, with India A and India B squaring off in the other opening-round match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. This match, alongside the fixture in Ananthapur, will be closely monitored by the selection committee as they finalize the squad for the upcoming Bangladesh series.As for Suryakumar Yadav, the focus now shifts to his recovery and a swift return to full fitness. The timeline for his return remains uncertain, and updates are expected following his assessment at the NCA.