Anantapur (Andhra Pradesh), Sep 14 (UNI) India A extended their dominance on the third day of their Duleep Trophy match, leaving India D with a towering challenge as they head into the final stages of the game.
At stumps on Saturday, India D are faced with an imposing target of 426 runs for victory and were 62 for one in their second innings.
The day belonged to India A’s top-order batsmen, who delivered an emphatic display of batting prowess. The innings was anchored by Pratham Singh, whose blistering 122 was a testament to his formidable skill and concentration.
Joining him in the spotlight was Tilak Varma, who remained unbeaten on a resolute 111, demonstrating his own mastery with the bat. Shashwat Rawat also made a substantial contribution, elegantly compiling a half-century that further bolstered India A’s position.
With these stellar performances, India A declared their innings at a robust 380/3, leaving India D’s bowlers with little room for error.
India D’s reply got off to a shaky start as Khaleel Ahmed struck early, dismissing Atharva Taide. The situation was then compounded by the promotion of Ricky Bhui, who, despite an aggressive approach, could not shift the momentum in India D’s favour significantly. The pitch, while still favourable for batting, saw spinners beginning to exploit the footmarks, adding layers of difficulty for the batsmen.
The India D bowlers, particularly Saransh Jain, appeared fatigued after a marathon spell that included an unexpected switch to the new ball. This late change seemed ill-timed, catching the bowlers off guard and failing to yield the desired impact. Despite the fresh ball, the bowlers struggled to penetrate India A’s resolute batting line-up, allowing runs to flow at a steady pace.
As the match nears its climax, India D faces the daunting task of not only preventing further losses but also constructing a formidable partnership to chase down the enormous target set by India A. With the pitch still offering some assistance to batsmen, the potential for an exciting finish remains. However, a truly remarkable effort will be required to overcome the significant advantage held by India A.
The final day promises a gripping conclusion as India D embarks on an improbable chase, with every run and wicket likely to be fiercely contested. The stage is set for a thrilling end to a hard-fought match.
Scores: India A 290 and 380/3d
India D 183 & 62/1.
