Teenager Musheer Khan and Navdeep Saini created history on Day 2 of the Duleep Trophy clash between India and India B at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. Musheer and Saini broke the record for highest partnership for eighth wicket or lower in Duleep Trophy's history.
The previous record was held by Abhishek Nayar and Ramesh Powar. In 2010, they shared a 197-run partnership for West Zone against North Zone in Rajkot. The match was drawn but West Zone won on the basis of first innings lead. While Powar is a former India women's cricket team head coach, Nayar is currently part of India men's cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir's coaching staff.
Musheer and Saini shared a 205-run partnership for the eighth wicket. Musheer scored 181 runs from 373 balls including 16 fours and five sixes. The partnership was broken by Kuldeep Yadav early in the second session of Day 2. Saini went on to score his half-century. He scored 56 runs from 144 balls including eight fours and a six.
On Day 1, India B were 94/7 when Saini walked in to bat. Pacers Khaleel Ahmed, Akash Deep and Avesh Khan bagged a couple of wickets each as Abhimanyu Easwaran’s side suffered a collapse. The likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar failed to make an impact.
Massive feat for Musheer
Musheer's 181-run knock is the third-highest for a teenager on Duleep Trophy debut. He surpassed legendary Sachin Tendulkar on the list who scored 159 runs. The top spot is occupied by Baba Aparajith who scored 212. Aparajith is followed by Yash Dhull who scored 193.
“Would like to thank my dad and my brothers, and the NCA due to which I’ve reached here. Very happy with the innings I played yesterday, but the hope is to play long this morning as well. When I was seeing the videos of the bowlers yesterday, I noticed the ball was swinging and was cutting as well, so the goal was just to play close to the body and play out time,” Musheer said after Day 1's play.
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