1 week Ago
BENGALURU: Having missed out on game time in the middle in the first innings, Rishabh Pant (61), looking to return to India's red-ball fold, came out to bat for India B with purpose. Up against Khaleel Ahmed , who stuck to a line which was wide, Pant settled down with a jab and a punch for back-to-back boundaries. For a little over an hour-and-half, the wicketkeeper-batter entertained the weekend holiday crowd, with Sarfaraz Khan (46) giving him company for the better part of the duration.
Although both were back in the dressing room by the time stumps were drawn, their partnership ensured a healthy 240-runs lead for India B against India A on Day 3 of their Duleep Trophy contest. Pant and Safaraz's 72-run association was the highlight of the opening round match. After bowling out India A for 231, India B were 150/6 in 31.
3 overs at stumps. India B now have their noses ahead in the contest. On a day when seam and swing called the shots at the M Chinnaswamy stadium , India A started the penultimate day with 134/2 on board with Riyan Parag (30) and KL Rahul (37) at the crease.
Both the set batters and those who followed them failed to adjust to the conditions and India A managed to add just 98 runs to their overnight score before being bowled out for 231. Parag, who was continuously tested by the pacers, finally offered a thick edge to Pant off Yash Dayal early in the day. Navdeep Saini (3/60) trapped Dhruv Jurel leg before.
Rahul, meanwhile, was left disappointed. Just when he was settling down he went for an expansive paddle sweep off Washington Sundar's tossed up delivery and lost his leg stump. Barring Tanush Kotian (32), none of the others offered any resistance.
After having conceded a 90-run lead, the new-ball pace duo of Khaleel Ahmed (2/56) and Akash Deep (2/36) put India A back in the game. With edges flying all around, Yashasvi Jaiswal was the first to go, when an uncertain flick by the opener off Khaleel was picked up low by wicketkeeper Jurel. Musheer, the first-innings hero, followed in a similar way, and skipper Easwaran too.
Pant and Sarfaraz then took over, making the most of the lifelines they were offered. The duo was put down twice each - Sarfaraz on 0 and 28 and Pant on 18 and 22. Pant, who dealt in boundaries, brought up his half century in 34 balls with 42 off the 50 coming in sixes and fours.
Brief scores: India B 321 and 150/6 (Pant 61, Sarfaraz 46, Akash 2-36, Khaleel 2-56) lead India A 231 (Rahul 37, Kotian 32, Saini 3-60, Mukesh 3-62) by 240 runs.
