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In the ongoing Duleep Trophy, India A ended Day 2 at 250/6 after 59.5 overs in a fiercely competitive match against India C. The game, being played as part of one of India’s most prestigious domestic tournaments, saw top performers from both sides putting their best foot forward in a bid to impress the national selectors.
A Solid Start but Middle-Order Stumbles
India A began the day with hopes of capitalizing on good batting conditions. Openers Pratham Singh and Mayank Agarwal laid a strong foundation, combining cautious defense with calculated aggression. Pratham Singh’s knock was pivotal, as he exhibited a blend of patience and skill to counter the early pressure from India C’s seamers. Singh, in particular, demonstrated why he remains one of the top performers in the domestic circuit, crafting his innings with well-timed strokes and sharp running between the wickets.
At the other end, Mayank Agarwal, known for his aggressive yet controlled approach, kept the scoreboard ticking. The former Indian Test opener has been looking to regain his place in the national setup, and this knock was a testament to his hunger for runs. Agarwal’s 56 was well-constructed, but he fell short of converting his start into a big score, caught and bowled by India C captain Shreyas Iyer, leaving India A at 115/1 after 28.1 overs.
As the match progressed, India A’s middle-order had a mixed day. Promising players like Tilak Varma and Shashwat Rawat fell cheaply. Varma, one of the rising stars of Indian cricket, couldn’t capitalize on his start, managing only 20 runs before being caught off the bowling of Saurabh Kumar. This brought the team into a precarious situation at 144/6, causing some concerns in the dressing room.
The Middle-Order Rebuild
The middle-order collapse highlighted the challenge of facing a balanced India C bowling attack. Harshit Rana was the pick of the bowlers, taking four wickets and showcasing his prowess with the red ball. His ability to extract movement off the pitch and deliver consistent line and length troubled the India A batters. His partner, Saurabh Kumar, too, chipped in with two key wickets, stifling the middle-order’s intent.
However, it was the resilience of lower-order batters Riyan Parag and Kushagra that turned the tide back in favor of India A. Parag, known for his attacking flair in white-ball cricket, played a composed knock, adjusting his game to suit the red-ball format. Parag’s unbeaten 64 was a crucial inning in the context of the match, as he kept the scoreboard ticking while protecting his wicket. His partnership with Kushagra provided stability, with the latter contributing a valuable 38 runs before the close of play.
Together, they helped push India A’s total to 250/6 by the end of the day, adding 106 runs for the seventh wicket and giving the team hope of surpassing 300 in their first innings.
The Match So Far
India C’s bowling attack was relentless, never allowing India A to dominate proceedings. Harshit Rana’s four wickets, including the prized scalps of Pratham Singh and Tilak Varma, were critical in keeping the game finely balanced. Arshdeep Singh, known for his accuracy and ability to swing the ball, supported Rana well, though he went wicketless in this session.
While India A’s batsmen showed glimpses of brilliance, they will need to convert these starts into substantial scores. For India C, the challenge now lies in wrapping up India A’s tail quickly when play resumes, ensuring that their opponents do not extend their lead further. The pitch is showing signs of wear, which may bring spinners into play later in the match.
What’s at Stake
The Duleep Trophy serves as a key platform for players to showcase their skills and make a case for selection in the national side. With a busy international calendar ahead, including crucial Test series and limited-overs matches, performances here could shape the future of many aspiring cricketers.
For Mayank Agarwal, this match is an opportunity to cement his place back in the Indian Test setup after being dropped from the national team. Similarly, young players like Tilak Varma and Riyan Parag are keen to prove their mettle in the longer format of the game, transitioning from their success in T20 leagues like the IPL to the more demanding format of red-ball cricket.