Duleep Trophy 2024 Shocker: India B Dominates, India A Crumbles!

How Pant and Sarfaraz Steered India B to a Strong Lead Over India A

The Duleep Trophy 2024 has seen gripping performances from India’s emerging and seasoned cricketers. Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan played crucial roles on Day 3, guiding India B to a commanding position with a substantial lead over India A. Their resilient partnership has brought the team within reach of a crucial victory, making Day 4 an exciting contest. Here’s an in-depth look at the events of the day and how the duo turned the match in favor of India B.

Rishabh Pant’s Dynamic Knock: A Return to Form

Rishabh Pant, determined to make an impact after limited game time in the first innings, played a pivotal role in India B’s second innings. Pant scored a quickfire 61, which not only thrilled the Bengaluru crowd but also placed his team in a commanding position. Known for his aggressive approach, Pant capitalized on any loose deliveries and was particularly dominant against Khaleel Ahmed, who struggled to contain him.

Pant’s innings were a masterclass in aggressive batting. From elegant jabs to forceful punches, he displayed his ability to handle the pressure of the occasion. His 61 runs came off just 34 balls, and an overwhelming majority of his runs were scored through boundaries—42 of them came from sixes and fours. He entertained the spectators and crucially took India B’s lead beyond the 240-run mark, ensuring the team had the upper hand by the time stumps were called.

Despite being dropped twice, on 18 and 22, Pant showed maturity and composure to take full advantage of these chances, and his partnership with Sarfaraz Khan ensured India B had a commanding position going into the final day.

Sarfaraz Khan’s Resilience: Holding the Fort

Sarfaraz Khan’s contribution to India B’s lead was equally significant. Though he did not score as rapidly as Pant, his 46 runs were critical in ensuring India B didn’t lose wickets in a flurry, especially after early blows from Khaleel Ahmed. Sarfaraz faced testing deliveries from the India A bowlers, but his patience and technique kept him going.

The right-handed batter, who dropped on 0 and again on 28, fought back to form a valuable partnership with Pant. Together, they added 72 runs in a period that helped India B regain control of the match. Sarfaraz, known for his ability to steady the innings, once again proved his worth, guiding the innings with a balanced approach and absorbing the pressure when wickets fell at the other end.

India’s Struggles with the Bat: An Uneven Response

Earlier in the day, India A resumed their innings at 134/2 with Riyan Parag and KL Rahul at the crease. However, India A’s batting lineup struggled to withstand India B’s pace attack. Despite starting on a positive note, the duo failed to convert their starts into big scores. Parag, struggling to keep up with the fast bowling, was dismissed on Day 3, nicking a ball from Yash Dayal to Pant.

KL Rahul, who looked set after scoring 37, was dismissed in a moment of lapse when he attempted an expansive paddle sweep off Washington Sundar. Rahul’s departure triggered a collapse, as India A’s lower order crumbled, with only Tanush Kotian (32) showing some resistance.

India A’s innings ended at 231, a mere 98 runs added to their overnight total. This left them trailing by 90 runs, giving India B a significant advantage going into the second innings.

India B’s Bowling: A Clinical Performance

Navdeep Saini and Mukesh Kumar, leading India B’s bowling, made it tough for India A’s batsmen to score runs. Saini’s pace was instrumental in breaking the back of India A’s lineup, as he picked up 3 wickets for 60 runs, including the prized scalp of Dhruv Jurel. Mukesh Kumar also bowled with discipline, claiming 3 wickets for 62 runs.

Washington Sundar, bowling spin, provided valuable support to Saini and Kumar, trapping India A’s middle order. Sundar’s wicket of KL Rahul was a key turning point, as it left India A without a set batter to anchor the innings.

Early Wickets: India B’s Second Innings Wobbles

India B’s second innings began with early drama, as Khaleel Ahmed and Akash Madhwal took two quick wickets each, leaving India B struggling at 150/6. Yashasvi Jaiswal, the first-inning hero, was dismissed early, flicking a delivery from Khaleel Ahmed straight into the hands of wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel. Musheer Khan and captain Abhimanyu Easwaran were dismissed one after the other.

Just as India A sensed an opportunity to claw back into the match, Pant and Sarfaraz’s partnership turned the tide. Despite the early setbacks, their composure allowed India B to post a competitive total, putting India A on the back foot.

Day 4: What to Expect?

India B’s lead of 240 runs puts them in a commanding position, but Day 4 will still require them to extend the lead further or bowl out India A cheaply. With Pant and Sarfaraz already back in the pavilion, the tailenders will need to show some resistance. However, the onus now lies on India’s bowling unit, which has already proven capable of dismantling India’s batting order once.

India A will need to bat out of their skins to chase down this challenging target, and much will depend on their top-order batsmen. The conditions at M Chinnaswamy Stadium will also play a vital role, with pace and swing likely to dominate early on, followed by potential assistance for the spinners later in the day.

Key Takeaways:

• Rishabh Pant’s aggressive 61 and Sarfaraz Khan’s resilient 46 provided India B with a crucial lead.
• India A’s batting lineup faltered after a good start, managing only 231 runs.
• Navdeep Saini and Mukesh Kumar, leading India B’s pace attack, dominated the day’s play.
• Khaleel Ahmed’s early strikes in India B’s second innings offered India A hope, but Pant and Sarfaraz’s partnership wrestled back control.

India B’s 240-run lead places them in the driver’s seat, with Day 4 expected to be a fierce contest between bat and ball.