By BD Narayankar
Bengaluru, Sept 8 (UNI) In a nail-biting Duleep Trophy encounter, India B overcame India A by 76 runs, thanks to a disciplined bowling performance and key moments of brilliance in the field. The intense showdown saw India B's bowlers rise to the occasion, clinching a well-deserved victory as India A faltered under pressure.
Chasing a challenging target of 275 runs, India A crumbled to 198 all out, with Navdeep Saini and Mukesh Kumar delivering decisive blows that tilted the match in India B’s favor.
The chase began poorly for India A as they lost wickets at regular intervals, struggling to build any significant partnerships. KL Rahul’s fighting 57 off 121 balls was the lone standout in an otherwise fragile batting display, but his dismissal by Mukesh Kumar, caught sharply by Rishabh Pant, marked the turning point of the match. Rahul’s departure ended a crucial 17-over stand, plunging India A into deep trouble at a critical juncture.
Just as India A looked down and out, Akash Deep injected a brief sense of hope with an aggressive 43 off 42 balls, smashing four sixes and three boundaries. His counter-attack momentarily revived India A's fading chances, but an unfortunate run-out by Musheer Khan ended his valiant effort. Akash Deep, having lost sight of a bouncer from Saini, was caught wandering outside his crease, and Khan’s quick underarm throw sealed the deal, dashing India A’s slim hopes.
Navdeep Saini spearheaded India B’s bowling attack, finishing with figures of 2 for 41 from his 12 overs, while Mukesh Kumar’s 2 for 50 added to India A’s woes. Washington Sundar and Yash Dayal (3/50) played crucial supporting roles, chipping in with timely wickets to dismantle the opposition’s lineup at key moments.
Earlier in the match, India B's batsmen laid a strong foundation, posting a formidable total of 321 in their first innings. Despite some spirited bowling from India A, particularly Yash Dayal’s three-wicket haul, the target ultimately proved too steep to chase.
India A’s uphill task continued when they reached 132/6 at the tea break, still needing another 143 runs with just four wickets in hand. Rahul stood firm against a relentless India B attack, led by Dayal, who delivered an exceptional spell of 3 for 45.
However, the afternoon session turned disastrous for India A as wickets tumbled at regular intervals. Shivam Dube’s brief resistance ended on 14, caught by Musheer Khan off Nitish Reddy, leaving India A reeling at 99/6. Rahul’s partnership with Kuldeep Yadav, who managed 6 off 30 balls, offered a faint glimmer of hope but wasn’t enough to turn the tide.
Dayal’s strategic use of short-pitched deliveries, combined with Navdeep Saini’s tight lines, kept the pressure firmly on the batsmen. Despite Rahul’s remarkable composure and calculated shot selection, his efforts could only stave off the inevitable for so long.
Earlier in the day, India A’s batting lineup struggled against overcast conditions, with seamers Yash Dayal and Navdeep Saini making the most of the swinging ball. Shubman Gill and Riyan Parag provided a steady start, but the partnership was cut short when Parag edged Dayal behind to Pant for a quick 31. Saini soon joined the act, claiming the key wicket of Dhruv Jurel for a golden duck, sending India A deeper into disarray.
In their second innings, India B was bowled out for 184, but not before Akash Deep’s stellar five-wicket haul gave India A a fighting chance. His scalps included crucial dismissals of Musheer Khan and Abhimanyu Easwaran, and he was ably supported by Khaleel Ahmed, who took three wickets to keep India B’s lower order in check.
As the match concluded, India B’s all-round display highlighted their resilience and strategic execution under pressure, securing a hard-fought 76-run victory and eadrning 6 points for an outright victory.
For India A, the loss underscored the challenge of chasing under pressure, despite a brave effort led by Rahul. The thrilling contest, filled with momentum swings and standout performances, was a fitting spectacle of the intense rivalry in the Duleep Trophy.
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