Duleep Trophy 2024: Key Performances from India A vs India B and India C vs India D
Day 1 of the Duleep Trophy 2024 match between India A and India B saw a gritty battle between bat and ball, with India B finishing at 202-7 by stumps. Opting to bat first after winning the toss, India B got off to a cautious start, but they soon found themselves under pressure.
Over in Anantapur, Shreyas Iyer led India D’s batting lineup to collapse under pressure in their first innings, as they were bowled out for 164. The top order faltered, with Shreyas Iyer, captain of India D, continuing his poor form. Iyer could only muster 9 runs before being caught behind off Vijaykumar Vyshak. This innings followed a pattern of inconsistency for Iyer, who has struggled to regain his touch in domestic cricket. His dismissal came at a critical juncture, setting the tone for India D’s batting woes.
Duleep Trophy 2024 Round 1: India A vs India B Match Summary
Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and captain Abhimanyu Easwaran struggled to deal with India A’s disciplined bowling attack. Jaiswal, after a promising start, managed 30 runs off 59 balls before being dismissed by Khaleel Ahmed. Easwaran could only add 13 runs from 42 balls before being caught behind off the bowling of Avesh Khan. Their dismissals left India B teetering at 53-2.
The middle order failed to provide much resistance either. Sarfaraz Khan, a consistent performer in domestic cricket, couldn’t make an impact and was trapped LBW by Avesh Khan for just 9 runs. The much-anticipated innings from Rishabh Pant ended in disappointment. Pant, known for his attacking style, fell cheaply, scoring just 7 runs before edging one to Shubman Gill off the bowling of Akash Deep. His poor form and failure to anchor the middle order will concern India B. Shortly after Pant’s dismissal, Nitish Reddy was bowled by Akash Deep for a golden duck, leaving India B reeling at 80-5.
Musheer Khan, however, stood tall amidst the wreckage. The young left-hander showcased immense patience and resilience, crafting a remarkable unbeaten 105 off 227 balls. He steadied the ship and formed a crucial 108-run partnership with Navdeep Saini (29*) to guide India B past 200. Musheer’s innings, which included 10 boundaries and 2 sixes, was the backbone of the innings, and his ability to occupy the crease was a standout performance on Day 1.
On the bowling front, Avesh Khan and Akash Deep were the chief destroyers for India A, both picking up two wickets each. Avesh’s sharp pace troubled the batsmen, while Akash Deep’s consistent line and length led to key dismissals. Khaleel Ahmed also contributed with two wickets, removing both Jaiswal and Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore. India A’s bowlers kept India B’s run rate in check, with only Musheer Khan managing to bat with authority. The match remains evenly poised, with India B relying heavily on Musheer to build on his knock on Day 2.
Duleep Trophy 2024 Round 2: India C vs India D Match Summary
The early damage was done by Anshul Kamboj and Vijaykumar Vyshak, who rattled the top order. Kamboj struck early, dismissing both Atharva Taide (4) and Yash Dubey (10), while Vyshak accounted for Iyer and Devdutt Padikkal, who was dismissed for a duck. At 23-4, India D was in deep trouble. The middle order did not fare much better, with Akshath Reddy and Srikar Bharat both falling cheaply, leaving India D in disarray at 48-6.
However, Axar Patel provided a counter-attacking innings that gave India D some hope. Axar played a brilliant knock of 86 from 118 balls, hitting six boundaries and six sixes. His aggressive intent was crucial in dragging India D to a somewhat respectable total. Patel received some support from Saransh Jain (13) and Arshdeep Singh (13), but it was his lone effort that stood out in an otherwise dismal batting performance. India C’s bowlers were relentless, with Vyshak taking 3 wickets for just 19 runs, and Kamboj chipping in with two wickets. Himanshu Chauhan and Manav Suthar also contributed with two and one wickets, respectively, ensuring that India D never settled.
In reply, Ruturaj Gaikwad India C didn’t have the best of starts either, as they were reduced to 91-4 by the close of play on Day 1. India C’s captain Ruturaj Gaikwad continued his poor run of form, falling for just 5 runs after facing 19 deliveries. Gaikwad’s dismissal, caught behind off Harshit Rana, highlighted his struggles in the domestic season, and much like Iyer and Pant, his inability to anchor his side’s innings was concerning.
Sai Sudharsan (7) and Aryan Juyal (12) also fell cheaply, both victims of Harshit Rana and Axar Patel, respectively. Patel, fresh from his batting exploits, proved effective with the ball as well, taking 2 wickets for 16 runs. However, a gritty unbeaten partnership between Baba Indrajith (15*) and Abishek Porel (32*) helped India C end the day with some stability. The pair added 48 runs together, giving India C a fighting chance going into Day 2. Harshit Rana was the pick of the bowlers for India D, with figures of 2-13 in his 7 overs.
