The second day of the Duleep Trophy’s second round witnessed Mayank Agarwal put up a fifty to extend India A’s lead over India D, while Manav Suthar put up a brilliant half-century of his own to help India C post a gargantuan first-innings total of 525 runs.
In Anantapur, India A’s bowlers who has wreaked havoc earlier, as pacers Khaleel Ahmed and Aaqib Khan bagged three wickets in their dismantling of India D.
But, Karnataka left-hander Devdutt Padikkal stepped up to the challenge, masterfully navigating his way to a 124-ball 92 with 15 fours.
Afterwards, for India A, it was Agarwal, who has been eager to make his way back into the top flight of Indian Cricket, who lead the way with the bat for his side, notching a strong 56 off 87 balls, consisting of 8 fours.
But, after an excellent run with the bat, alongisde Pratam Singh who notched an unbeaten 59 runs of his own, skipper Agarwal fell to the antics of part-time spinner Shreyas Iyer in the very last ball of the day.
India B Facing Mammoth Total as Easwaran, Jagadeesan Fight
India C started off the day with the bat, as they hammered their opposition at ease to set themselves up for a mammoth total.
22-year-old Manav Suthar was clinical throughout his 82 run-innings as the youngster anchored the India C innings with his first Duleep Trophy fifty after the departure of skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Suthar sliced and diced his way through the India B bowlers, as he piled on 11 fours and 3 sixes in his innings at the pitch, as India C set up a walloping total of 525 runs when all was said and done.
Leg-spinner Rahul Chahar (4/73) was the most successful bowler for India C and pacer Mukesh Kumar (4/126) was also among wickets.
With a mountain to climb, the onus fell on India B openers to get them off to a strong start, and that is exactly what entailed as Easwaran and Jagadeesan ended the day unbeaten, posting scores of 51 and 67 respectively, to help India B stay in the hunt.
Although still trailing by 401 runs, the openers will look to build on the confident start they have established and hopefully bring their side back into the encounter.
(with agency inputs)
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