Anantapur (Andhra Pradesh) [India], September 21 (ANI): Ricky Bhui and Shreyas Iyer showcased stellar performances on Saturday, ensuring India D’s dominance over India B on Day 3 of the Duleep Trophy 2024 in Anantapur.

India B began the day at 210/6 and managed to extend their innings to a total of 282, thanks to Washington Sundar’s resilient knock of 87 off 140 balls. Saurabh Kumar was instrumental for India D, claiming all four wickets that fell on the day, wrapping up with impressive figures of 5 for 73.

India D faced early setbacks in their second innings as Navdeep Saini and Mukesh Kumar struck swiftly, removing key players Devdutt Padikkal (3), Srikar Bharat (2), and Nishant Sindhu (5). Despite these early blows, Shreyas Iyer stabilized the innings with a brisk fifty off just 40 balls, maintaining a strike rate of 125. However, his innings was cut short in the 14th over when Mukesh Kumar dismissed him. Mukesh continued his impactful performance by taking down Sanju Samson in the 31st over.

At the close of play on Day 3, Ricky Bhui remained unbeaten on 90*, alongside Akash Sengupta who was not out on 28*. Their partnership extended India D’s lead to a substantial 311 runs over India B.

India B currently holds the second spot on the points table and is hoping that neither India C nor India A secure victories in their respective matches, a scenario that would help them clinch the prestigious Duleep Trophy.

In another gripping encounter of the Duleep Trophy, Riyan Parag and Shashwat Rawat brought India A back into contention against India C on the third day of the final round. After securing a lead of 63 runs, half-centuries from Parag (73) and Rawat (53) bolstered India A’s position, pushing their lead to 333 runs at stumps with four wickets still in hand.

The Parag-Rawat duo forged a crucial 105-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Notably, this was Parag’s maiden half-century of the tournament. Parag’s valiant effort ended when Gaurav Yadav dismissed him in the 49th over. Manav Suthar then concluded Rawat’s innings by picking up his wicket in the 52nd over.

Anshul Kamboj spearheaded the bowling attack for India C in the second innings, claiming two wickets while conceding just 52 runs at an economy rate of 3.20. By the end of Day 3, Kumar Kushagra (40*) and Tanush Kotian (13*) remained unbeaten at the crease for India A, extending their lead to 333 runs over India C.

Currently, India A stands third in the Duleep Trophy rankings and is in desperate need of a win to secure the coveted trophy. (ANI)