Pacer Avesh Khan sparkled with a gritty unbeaten half-century before taking the prized scalp of Ishan Kishan as India A mounted a strong challenge against India C on day two of the Duleep Trophy final-round match in Anantapur on Friday. (More Sports News)
The 27-year-old Avesh, who has represented India in eight ODIs an꧃🀅d 23 T20Is so far, hammered five fours and four sixes in a 68-ball 51 not out while batting at No. 9, propelling India A to 297.
In respon🐼se, India C faced a top-order collapse as youngster Aaqib Khan (3/43) and Avesh (1🌜/52) tore through their lineup.
Aaqib, the 20-year-old pacer from Uttar Pradesh, was particularly impressive as he dismissed Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rajat Patidar off successive deliveries.
At stumps, India C were 216 for 7, trailing by 81 run🧜s and struggling to take a first-innings lead in the four-day en෴counter.
India C currently lead the points table with 9 points, followed by India B (7) and India A (6), with the top team after this round set to claim the Duleep Trophy title.
Meanwhile, Shashwat Rawat's resolute knock 🤪came to an end for 124 (250 balls) this morning after𒉰 he managed to add just two runs to his overnight total.
A crucial 42-run partnership between 🐎Avesh and Prasidh Krishna (34 off 39) then took India A forward as the tailenders kept adding vital runs. Avesh then went on to complete his second first-class half-century, boosting the team's total.
Vyshak Vijaykumar was the pick of the bowlers for India C, claiming 4/51, while Anshul Kamboj (3/49) and Gaurav Yadav (2/57) provided va🏅luable support.
India C crumbled under the fiery pace of Aaqib, who rattled the top order with crucial wickets of skipper Gaikwad (17) and Rajat Patidar, the latter falling for a golden duck as a sharp, low delivery breached h🌄is defence to knock his off-stump cartwheeling.
Ave🦩sh further dented India C's chase by cleaning up the dangerous Ishan Kishan (5), reducing them to 39/3 before Sai Sudharsan (17) became Aaqib's third victim.
However, Abhishek anchored the inn🅰ings and added 51 crucial runs with Baba Indra💜jith, who retired hurt after scoring 34.
Porel's resistance was cut short by ಌShams Mulani (2/30), who took two wickets in four balls to leave India C reeling at 165/6.
Pulkit Nꦫarang (35 batting off 93) and Vijaykumar Vyshak (14 batting off 25) steadied the ship, guiding their team to 216/7 at stumps, still trailing by 81 runs with three wickets in hand.
With both teams battling hard, the t🍎hird day promises to be an intriguing contest as India ♕A look to press their advantage, while India C aim to close the gap.
Brief Scores:
India A: 297 in 90.5 overs (Shashwat Rawat 124, Avesh Khan 51 not out, Shams Mulani 44, Prasidh Krishna 34; Vijaykumar Vyshak 4/51, Anshul Kamboj 3ꦿ/49, Gaurav Yadav 2/57) vs India C 216/7 in 64 overs (Abhishek Porel 82, Pulkit Narang 35 batting; Aa🦂qib Khan 3/43, Shams Mulani 2/30).
