Bengaluru, Sep 8 (UNI) KL Rahul's determined half-century has kept India A's slim hopes alive against India B on the fourth day of their fiercely contested Duleep Trophy match on Sunday.
Chasing a challenging target of 275 runs, India A reached 132/6 at the tea break, needing another 143 runs to win with just four wickets remaining. India B, after dismissing India A for 231 in their first innings, posted scores of 321 and 184 in their two innings to set the daunting target.
Rahul, unbeaten on 50 off 101 balls, has been the linchpin of India A’s innings, battling against a relentless India B attack led by Yash Dayal, who has impressive figures of 3/45 from 11 overs.
The afternoon session proved disastrous for India A as they lost wickets regularly. Shivam Dube was the latest casualty, scoring 14 off 27 balls before falling to Nitish Reddy, caught by Musheer Khan. At 99/6, India A found themselves in a perilous position, but Rahul’s partnership with Kuldeep Yadav, who is on 6 from 30 balls, has offered a faint glimmer of hope.
India B bowlers have dominated with a disciplined approach, making effective use of short-pitched deliveries to unsettle the batsmen. Dayal’s relentless short-ball strategy kept Kuldeep on his toes, while Navdeep Saini (1/26) and Nitish Reddy (1/8) provided critical support with tight lines and aggressive field placements.
Despite the pressure, Rahul has stood firm, carefully selecting his shots and pouncing on any loose deliveries. His experience shone through as he reached his half-century with a single off Saini, demonstrating patience and resilience in the face of a hostile bowling attack. The partnership between Rahul and Kuldeep has added 33 runs off 81 balls, a crucial stand that has halted the procession of wickets.
With 42 overs left in the day, the match hangs in the balance. India B will be eager to break this partnership quickly, while India A will hope that Rahul and Kuldeep can build on their resistance and edge closer to the target. The final session promises a gripping contest as India A battles to stay in the game.
Earlier in the day, India A's batting lineup struggled under overcast conditions, setting the stage for a tense finish. India A found themselves reeling at 76/4 by lunch, their hopes hanging by a thread as seamers Yash Dayal and Navdeep Saini expertly exploited the conditions.
The chase had started promisingly with Shubman Gill and Riyan Parag stitching together a solid partnership. Parag, aggressive and confident, smashed a quick 31, but the tide turned dramatically when Dayal delivered a perfect delivery that forced Parag to edge behind to Rishabh Pant. Gill, who had earlier shown patience with a composed 21, was undone by a probing delivery from Saini, who celebrated the crucial breakthrough with palpable energy.
Saini’s momentum continued as he dismissed Dhruv Jurel for a golden duck, plunging India A into further trouble. Dayal, who has been the standout bowler with three key wickets, bowled with relentless accuracy and movement off the seam, proving too much for the India A batsmen.
India B were bowled out for 184 in their second innings, thanks largely to a spirited performance by Akash Deep, who claimed his maiden five-wicket haul. His scalps included first-innings centurion Musheer Khan and Abhimanyu Easwaran, giving India A a fighting chance despite the daunting target. Khaleel Ahmed provided vital support, taking three wickets as the duo kept India B’s lower order in check.
KL Rahul, now unbeaten on 50, carries the weight of India A’s hopes. His experience will be crucial if they are to salvage anything from the game, but he will need support from the lower order on a pitch that is increasingly showing its teeth. With cracks widening and consistent movement off the seam, India A’s batters face a stern test in the final session.
The match remains delicately poised, but India B holds the advantage thanks to disciplined bowling and a treacherous pitch. As the clouds continue to loom, all eyes will be on how India A navigates this critical period of play, with a potential outright win for India B looming large.
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