Duleep Trophy | Sudharsan’s ton in vain as Kotian and Krishna star in India A’s Duleep Trophy triumph

ByArijit Kundu, SportsCafe Editor

09/22/2024

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India A beat India C by 132 runs in the third-round clash of the Duleep Trophy and emerged as the winners of the honorary tourney. B Sai Sudharsan’s fighting century was not enough as three-fers from Tanush Kotian and Prasidh Krishna wrapped Ruturaj Gaikwad and co. for 217 in a cliffhanger.

To the surprise of the on-air commentators, India A batted for a couple of overs on the morning session of the fourth day to hand over a 350-run lead to the opposition. In yet another surprising move of the day, Vyshak Vijaykumar was seen opening the batting with skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, adding 38 runs together for the first wicket. Right after, B Sai Sudharsan played a grafter’s role with the captain until Lunch with the score reflecting 78/1 in 29 overs.

Continuing from where they left in the second session, the right and left-handed pair added 77 runs for the second wicket before Aaqib Khan made miracles with the ball by getting Gaikwad’s number followed by cleaning up Rajat Patidar in a wicket that had hardly anything for the bowlers. While Ishan Kishan tried to counterpunch the opponents with three fours, his stay was shortlived, courtesy of Tanush Kotian’s spin mastery, extracting three wickets in quick time.

With 188/6, India C was struggling to draw the game but Sudharsan kept them alive with a delightful century under his name. When Sudharsan looked solid as stone with the defense, the reintroduction of Prasidh Krishna yielded rewards for the Agarwal-led unit as Sai Sudharsan was outdone by a hit the deck stuff in the dying moments of the game. While an injured Baba Indrajith strolled out to withstand the attack but his valiance fell short as Krishna cleared the clutter with 19 balls remaining on the day. This helped India A to gain six points and triumph in the prestigious Duleep Trophy by sitting at the top of the points table with twelve points.

What a celebration!

— Arijit Shanto (@ArijitShan18431)

Won it

MAYANK AGARWAL LEAD INDIA A WON THE DULEEP TROPHY 🏆

- A must win on the final day with India C just needed a draw but Mayank & boys rises up in the pressure and won the Trophy.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)

Fifier for him

FIVE WICKET HAUL BY ARSHDEEP SINGH IN DULEEP TROPHY...!!! 🌟
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)

Huge impact

- Hundred vs PAK A.

- Hundred in IPL.

- Hundred in TNPL knock outs.

- Hundred in County Cricket.

- Hundred in Duleep Trophy.

22 year old Sai Sudharsan making huge impact in all formats in domestics, A star in making for the future from Tamil Nadu. 🇮🇳
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)

Final hour

India A are Champions. Absolute scene in Anantapur. What a tournament it has been. And a near-perfect final day.

We have a winner clinching it with a victory in the final hour of the final day of the tournament.

Indian Domestic season has just started.
— Kaushik Kashyap (@CricKaushik_)

Poor captaincy

India A wins the Duleep Trophy out of nowhere. Poor captaincy by India C's captain Ruturaj Gaikwad as he decided to go for draw instead of a win. Fell down from 174/4 to 217/10 with just 4 more overs left in the match !!
— Aman (@CricketSatire)

Good grab

WHAT A CATCH! 🔥

Tilak Varma pulls off a spectacular catch to dismiss Baba Indrajith 👏

India A are just one wicket away from a win! |

Follow the match ▶️:
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic)

Big wicket

HUGE wicket! 🔥

Prasidh Krishna gets the BIG wicket of centurion Sai Sudharsan (111) 👌👌

We are in for a thrilling finish! |

Follow the match ▶️:
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic)

Huge season

You gotta give this to Baba Indrajith. What this guy is made of. A huge domestic season ahead as far as his career is concerned. But he is here out there to bat out the day for his side and help them win
— Kaushik Kashyap (@CricKaushik_)

Rivalry