Abishek Porel (35 n.o., 63b, 4x4, 1x6) trampled on India D’s hopes of a last-minute hijack and anchored India C to a four-wicket victory in the first round of the Duleep Trophy at the Rural Development Trust Stadium here on Saturday
Manav Suthar faced 29 deliveries without opening his account but his 43-ball 19 complemented Porel in the unbeaten 42-run seventh-wicket partnership that helped India C to the highest successful run chase at the venue on the third day.
The stirring finish was nowhere in sight when Rajat Patidar (44, 77b, 6x4, 1x6) and Aryan Juyal (47, 74b, 3x4, 1x6) had the contest’s fate in their grasp courtesy of an 88-run stand for the third wicket. The pair was particularly effective in neutralising Saransh Jain, sweeping the off-spinner for a combined five boundaries through the mid-wicket region. Juyal stepped out to hoist Saransh for a maximum too.
HIGHLIGHTS | DULEEP TROPHY FIRST ROUND DAY 3
But in a rush of blood, Patidar made a heedless advance down the track off Saransh, missed his slog and was caught short of his crease. Urgency to get to the finish line cost Juyal too who fluffed his chip to deep covers off Arshdeep Singh. But the wicket was Harshit Rana’s in equal measure for his diving effort to grab the half-chance.
Baba Indrajith and Hrithik Shokeen learned nothing from their predecessors and perished looking to take on Saransh and Axar Patel, respectively, as India C slumped from 171 for three to 191 for six in its pursuit of 233. But Porel and Suthar kept their heads and ensured Ruturaj Gaikwad (46, 48b, 8x4) and Sai Sudharsan’s early work was not undone.
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The opening 10-over deluge, which started with Gaikwad picking boundaries through fine leg and point off Harshit in the first over, signalled India C’s intent to get straight to business. Sudharsan joined the party, duly dispatching erroneous half-trackers on his pads through the on side against Arshdeep.
Devdutt Padikkal did not help his team’s case when he put down Sudharsan on 10 at first slip off Arshdeep.
India C skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad in action. | Photo Credit: X/BCCI
With 45 chopped off the target in six overs, Shreyas Iyer employed his spin duo of Axar and Saransh to rein in the opening pair. Axar’s skiddy, length deliveries worked in cutting off the boundaries and served as the perfect foil for Saransh’s flight.
Saransh took a leaf out of Suthar’s book and tossed up a delivery to Sudharsan, who could not resist and drove it into the hands of covers. Four overs later, he got Gaikwad to edge to first slip, bringing the siege to an end.
But Juyal and Patidar’s recalibration act ensured the door was closed on India D despite the last hiccups.
Earlier in the day, Axar and Harshit looked intent on growing India D’s lead with attack but Suthar added the pair to his overnight tally of five wickets, ending the side’s second essay at 236 runs.
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