- The ongoing Duleep Trophy 2024 has provided fans with thrilling cricket action, and the latest match between India B and India C at Anantapur’s Rural Development Trust Stadium proved to be another intense contest. India C, showcasing a formidable batting performance, posted an impressive total of 525 runs in their first innings. The game eventually ended in a draw, but it featured several standout individual performances.
India C’s First Innings Highlights
India C’s batting lineup put up a solid collective effort, with multiple players contributing significant scores, led by captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and the explosive wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan.
- Ruturaj Gaikwad (58 off 74) – Leading from the front, the captain played a composed knock, managing nine boundaries in his innings before falling to Mukesh Kumar. Gaikwad’s steady hand helped provide a solid foundation for the team’s big total.
- Sai Sudharsan (43 off 75) – Partnering with Gaikwad, Sudharsan added 43 valuable runs. Though unable to convert his start into a half-century, he gave crucial support early in the innings. He eventually succumbed to Mukesh Kumar, caught by Navdeep Saini.
- Rajat Patidar (40 off 67) – Patidar’s solid knock came to an end at the hands of Navdeep Saini. Despite his brief stay at the crease, he ensured the middle-order stability that India C needed.
- Ishan Kishan (111 off 126) – The standout performance came from Ishan Kishan, who blasted his way to a century, scoring 111 runs at a strike rate of 88.10. His 14 boundaries and 3 sixes energized the innings, and he played a crucial role in pushing India C past the 500-mark. He was eventually dismissed by Mukesh Kumar, but his aggressive approach had already caused considerable damage.
- Indrajith (78 off 136) – Another notable contribution came from Indrajith, who added stability to the innings after the fall of Ishan Kishan. His patient knock saw him compile 78 runs, providing a strong middle-order anchor.
- Manav Suthar (82 off 156) – Lower down the order, Manav Suthar’s gritty 82 off 156 balls proved to be invaluable. His ability to build partnerships and guide the tailenders allowed India C to maximize their batting potential. His knock featured 11 boundaries and a steady strike rate, showcasing his composure under pressure.
- Anshul Kamboj (38 off 27) – Kamboj’s quickfire cameo late in the innings further boosted India C’s total. With a strike rate of 140.74, he smashed 5 boundaries and 2 sixes, frustrating the India B bowlers.
Key Bowlers
India B bowlers struggled for consistency but had some individual successes.
- Mukesh Kumar was the standout bowler for India B, claiming 4 wickets for 75 runs. His ability to strike at crucial moments helped restrict the flow of runs, including the prized scalps of Ishan Kishan and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad.
- Rahul Chahar also had an impressive outing with the ball, taking 4 wickets for 153 runs. His dismissal of key batsmen like Indrajith and Manav Suthar played a role in containing the middle-order fightback.
- Navdeep Saini contributed with 2 wickets, while Nitish Reddy took a solitary wicket by removing Mayank Markande.
The Outcome
India C’s commanding total of 525 runs in 124.1 overs highlighted the team’s batting depth. However, despite this massive total, the match ended in a draw. India B could not fully capitalize on their bowling breakthroughs, and the clock eventually ran out for both sides.
Conclusion
The match between India B and India C in the Duleep Trophy 2024 was a showcase of high-quality batting, particularly from the likes of Ishan Kishan, Manav Suthar, and Indrajith. While Mukesh Kumar and Rahul Chahar tried their best with the ball, India B couldn’t halt the onslaught from India C’s top and middle order. Though the match ended in a draw, it offered fans thrilling individual performances and further demonstrated why the Duleep Trophy remains one of India’s most exciting domestic competitions.