India A Extends Lead Over India C in Duleep Trophy Final
India A has extended its lead over India C in the final round of the Duleep Trophy fixtures in Anantapur. Resuming the third day with a 63-run advantage, India A’s Riyan Parag and Shashwat Rawat played crucial knocks to bolster their position.
Parag, who had not scored a half-century in the competition prior to this match, struck a fluent 73. Rawat, the 23-year-old Baroda batter, continued his impressive form with a second big score in the match, following his 124 in the first innings. His 53 helped India A extend their lead to 333 at stumps with four wickets remaining.
The pair added 105 for the fourth wicket, with the partnership broken when left-arm spinner Manav Suthar dismissed Rawat. Kumar Kushagra, the Jharkhand wicketkeeper, remained unbeaten on 40 at the close of play, with Tanush Kotian providing support.
India C’s hopes of chasing down India A’s first-innings total of 297 were dashed by Avesh Khan, who claimed two of the three wickets to fall. India C managed to add just 18 runs to their overnight total, with left-arm spinner Shams Mulani picking up the other wicket.
India A, currently placed third in the four-team competition, need an outright victory to have a chance of winning the Duleep Trophy.
