Cricket

On the second day of the Duleep Trophy final round robin league match, India D established a commanding position over India B, thanks to Sanju Samson's century and Arshdeep Singh's impressive bowling performance.India D resumed their first innings at 306 for 5, with Samson continuing his impressive form. The talented batsman reached his 11th first-class hundred, scoring 106 off 101 deliveries, including 12 boundaries and three sixes. However, India D's innings ended shortly after Samson's milestone, with the last five wickets falling for 43 runs. Delhi speedster Navdeep Saini was the wrecker-in-chief, claiming 5 for 74 in 18.3 overs.In response, India B began their innings cautiously, with skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran leading the charge. Easwaran, who had scored a century in the previous game, notched up his 25th first-class hundred, a 170-ball knock adorned with 13 fours and a six. However, India B's progress was halted by Arshdeep Singh, who returned for his second spell with a slightly older SG Test ball.Arshdeep struck twice in quick succession, dismissing Musheer Khan and Nitish Reddy cheaply. He then accounted for the prized wicket of Suryakumar Yadav, who had been eagerly anticipated by the crowd. With India B reeling at 100 for 5, Easwaran and Washington Sundar (39 batting) steadied the ship, adding 105 runs for the sixth wicket.However, Easwaran's dismissal towards the end of the day, caught behind off Aditya Thakare, left India B in a precarious position at 210 for 6. The match remains evenly poised heading into the third day, with India B needing to bat cautiously to avoid a heavy defeat.

India D asserted their dominance against India B in the Duleep Trophy match in Anantapur, thanks to a collective batting effort led by Sanju Samson's unbeaten 89.After India B opted to field, Devdutt Padikkal and KS Bharat laid a solid foundation with a 105-run opening partnership. Padikkal notched up his third consecutive half-century, while Bharat contributed a steady 52.However, India B's bowlers managed to break the partnership, with Navdeep Saini dismissing Padikkal and Mukesh Kumar removing Bharat. Nishant Sindhu and Ricky Bhui then combined for a 53-run stand, but Rahul Chahar's quick double-strike put India D in a spot of bother.Chahar dismissed Sindhu and Shreyas Iyer in quick succession, leaving India D at 175 for 4. Bhui, who had scored a century in the previous match, continued his good form with a 56-run knock.Samson, however, proved to be the anchor for India D. He played an aggressive innings, hitting ten fours and three sixes in his 83-ball knock. He shared an unbroken 90-run partnership with Saransh Jain, who remained unbeaten on 26 at stumps.For India B, Chahar was the standout bowler, claiming 3 for 60 in 13 overs. Mukesh and Saini also picked up a wicket each.

The Duleep Trophy, India's premier domestic red-ball tournament, is set to resume its final round on Thursday, September 19, 2024, providing another opportunity for aspiring cricketers to showcase their skills. Unlike previous editions, this year's tournament will not feature any knockout games, with the team accumulating the highest points crowned as champions.Currently, India C, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, sits atop the standings with nine points from two matches. They will face Mayank Agarwal's India A, while Abhimanyu Easwaran's India B will take on India D, captained by Shreyas Iyer.Iyer, who was overlooked for the recent Bangladesh series, will be eager to prove his worth. However, his team has yet to earn a point in the tournament, putting pressure on him to deliver an inspiring performance.The performance of India D batter Sanju Samson and pacer Arshdeep Singh will also be closely monitored by the selectors. In the India B camp, Rinku Singh will aim to make a significant contribution after a disappointing outing in the previous game.The India A versus India C contest will see the selectors expecting more runs from Agarwal, Riyan Parag, and Sai Sudharsan. Parag has shown promise with the bat but needs to spend more time in the middle.Pacer Prasidh Krishna, returning from injury, will be looking to bowl a substantial number of overs, while Shams Mulani will hope to repeat his match-winning effort in the prevailing conditions. Ishan Kishan, who made a memorable return to red-ball cricket with a century for India C, will need another impressive knock to garner further attention from the selectors.

Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson's scintillating knock of 40 off 45 kept India D in the hunt for an improbable victory against India A in the second round match of the Duleep Trophy.Chasing a mammoth 488, India D were reeling at 62/1 on Day 4 when Samson stepped up to the plate. He began his innings with a boundary off Tanush Kotian and quickly shifted gears, smashing a six against Shams Mulani.Samson's aggressive approach continued as he hit another boundary and a maximum in the 57th over of Kotian. However, his innings was cut short in the 61st over when Kotian dismissed him for 40.Despite Samson's departure, Ricky Bhui remained solid at the crease, scoring a century to keep India D's hopes alive. Earlier, Tilak Varma and Pratham Singh had made smooth hundreds to drive India A to a commanding position.Varma remained unbeaten on 111, while Pratham made an impressive 122 as India A declared their second innings closed at 380 for three. This gave them an overall lead of 487, and India D had to chase down 488 for victory.With Samson's heroics and Bhui's century, India D managed to reduce the deficit to 426 runs at the end of Day 4. The match remains evenly poised, with India D needing a further 284 runs to win on the final day.

India D vs India A: Shreyas Iyer's Team Opts to Bowl FirstIn a crucial encounter between India D and India A, India D captain Shreyas Iyer made the decision to bowl first after winning the toss. The match serves as a platform for players to showcase their skills and potentially earn a spot in the national Test squad.Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, who has been included in the India A team, has a lot to prove in this match. His performance in red-ball cricket will be closely scrutinized as he aims to enhance his credentials. Similarly, Devdutt Padikkal and Sanju Samson, who were notably absent from India D's playing eleven against India C, will be eager to make an impact.Shreyas Iyer, the captain of India D, is another player who has been sidelined from the Test squad. A strong performance in this match could potentially bring him back into contention for national selection.Mayank Agarwal, who last played a Test match in March 2022, is captaining the India A unit. He will be looking to score a significant number of runs to regain his place in the national team. The emergence of Shubman Gill has led to Agarwal being overlooked for the Test squad, but a dominant performance in this match could change that.The match between India D and India A is a crucial opportunity for players to showcase their talent and stake their claim for a spot in the national Test squad. The performances of Arshdeep Singh, Devdutt Padikkal, Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer, and Mayank Agarwal will be closely monitored as they aim to impress the selectors.

Sanju Samson, a prodigious talent in Indian cricket, has been a paradox of brilliance and underachievement. Blessed with an elegant batting style and an uncanny ability to pick the length early, he has captivated audiences with his silken touch and delectable placement. However, his international career has been a tale of unfulfilled potential, leaving many to wonder what ails this enigmatic batsman.Samson's international debut came in 2015, but it wasn't until 2021 that he made his ODI debut. Despite his impressive 56.66 average in ODIs, his T20I record has been underwhelming, with an average of just 19.30. This disparity has raised questions about his ability to translate his IPL dominance into international success.One possible explanation for Samson's struggles is his tendency to choose the wrong shots at the wrong time. His eagerness to impress may lead him to play risky strokes early in his innings, resulting in his downfall. Additionally, the weight of expectations and the pressure to perform may be weighing heavily on his mind.However, it would be unfair to dismiss Samson's talent based solely on his T20I record. His ODI performances suggest that he has the potential to be a valuable asset in the longer white-ball format. With the 2025 Champions Trophy and the 2027 World Cup on the horizon, Samson has ample opportunities to prove his worth.The upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh and South Africa will be crucial for Samson. He needs to make a statement of intent and convince the selectors that he deserves a longer rope. The appointment of Rahul Dravid as head coach of Rajasthan Royals, where Samson is captain, could provide him with the guidance and support he needs to unlock his full potential.Samson's journey has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. He has experienced the adulation of fans and the scrutiny of critics. But through it all, he has remained a dedicated and hardworking cricketer. With a little more judiciousness in shot selection and a renewed belief in his abilities, Samson can overcome his international hurdles and become the world-class batsman he is destined to be.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan's participation in the Duleep Trophy opener on Thursday is uncertain due to a potential injury, according to Cricbuzz. Kishan is part of Team D, led by Shreyas Iyer, but his availability for the tournament remains unclear.If Kishan is unable to play, Sanju Samson is likely to replace him in the squad. Team D's second match is scheduled for September 12. The four-team competition will see each team play three matches.Kishan recently participated in the Buchi Babu tournament in Chennai, where his team, Jharkhand, was eliminated in the league phase. He scored a century (115) and 41 not out in the first match, but managed only 1 and 5 in the second match.Kishan's absence from the Duleep Trophy would be a setback for his hopes of returning to the national squad. He was excluded from the list of centrally contracted BCCI players due to his absence from domestic cricket while not on national duty.To be eligible for selection in the Indian team again, Kishan must play domestic cricket. His inclusion in the Duleep Trophy was an indication that the BCCI was willing to soften its stance on him. However, this reported injury could hinder his progress.Notably, India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav is also injured and is currently at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, nursing a hand injury.

Sanju Samson, India's wicketkeeper-batter, is currently enjoying a break from cricket after the team's tour of Sri Lanka. In a viral video, Samson was seen playing football on a basketball court, showcasing his versatility and love for sports.Despite being a part of India's triumphant T20 World Cup 2024 squad, Samson did not get an opportunity to play in the tournament. The team management preferred Rishabh Pant as their primary wicketkeeper-batter, leaving Samson on the sidelines.Samson recently expressed his disappointment at being left out of the Indian ODI squad. "I will just go and play whenever they select me. That's it! At the end of the day, our team is doing well. I am the kind of person who believes in higher purpose. I just try to take things positively under controllable circumstances and put up the efforts," Samson said at the launch of Kerala Cricket League.Samson's struggles in the recently concluded T20I series against Sri Lanka, where he recorded back-to-back ducks, may have contributed to his omission from the ODI squad. However, Samson remains a talented player with a proven track record in domestic cricket.Despite the setbacks, Samson remains positive and focused on improving his game. He is expected to return to action in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season, where he will represent the Rajasthan Royals.Samson's versatility and love for sports are evident in his recent football outing. It is a reminder that even elite athletes can find joy and fulfillment in activities outside their primary sport.

Sanju Samson, the enigmatic wicketkeeper-batter from Rajasthan, has been a constant subject of debate among cricket enthusiasts. Despite his impressive performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and sporadic appearances for the national team, Samson has often found himself on the sidelines of the Indian squad.Samson's international debut came in 2015, but he has since struggled to cement his place in the team. He was overlooked for the Asia Cup 2023 and ODI World Cup 2023 squads, despite his consistent performances in the IPL. He was eventually included in India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad but did not feature in any matches.Recently, Samson played two matches in India's three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, but failed to score a single run. Despite these setbacks, the 29-year-old remains unfazed."I will just go and play whenever they select me. That's it! End of the day, our team is doing well. I am the kind of person who believes in higher purpose. I just try to take things positively under controllable circumstances and put up the efforts," Samson said at a recent event.Samson's resilience is evident in his performances for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. In the 2024 season, he emerged as the fifth highest run-scorer with 531 runs in 15 matches.Overall, Samson has played 30 T20Is for India, scoring 444 runs, and 16 ODIs, scoring 510 runs. He has also played 167 IPL matches, amassing 4419 runs.Despite his impressive record, Samson's omission from the Indian team has raised questions about the selection criteria. Some experts believe that his inconsistent performances in international cricket have cost him his place, while others argue that he deserves more opportunities.As the Indian team prepares for the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2024, Samson's form and selection will be closely monitored. If he can replicate his IPL performances on the international stage, he could prove to be a valuable asset for the team.