Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson played a crucial role in rescuing India D's innings against India B on Day 1 of the Duleep Trophy 2024 final-round fixtures. His unbeaten 89* helped India D post a challenging total of 306 for 5 at the end of Day 1 in Anantapur. Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer, the captain of India D, continued his struggles in red-ball cricket, registering a five-ball duck. This follows his earlier dismissal for a duck against India A in the second-round fixture. Iyer's recent form has raised concerns, and fans are eagerly awaiting his return to form.
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Sanju Samson stars with the bat to rescue India D
Sanju Samson, tasked with preventing a mini-collapse that saw his team slip from 173/2 to 175/4, began his innings with a powerful shot. He effortlessly punched the second delivery he faced from leg-spinner Rahul Chahar through extra cover. Samson's aggressive approach continued as he punished Mukesh Kumar for any width, dismissing him with a square drive and a cut. He also showcased his audacious skills, upper-cutting Navdeep Saini over the wicketkeeper. Samson's innings was highlighted by a 12-run over against Saini, featuring a cover drive and a straight drive. He reached his half-century in just 49 balls, hitting a boundary through mid-wicket off Saini.
However, Samson's most impressive shots came against off-spinner Washington Sundar, whom he dispatched for 16 runs in one over, including an inside-out loft for four and two sixes clearing covers and long-off.
India D reaches 306/5 at stumps
Saransh Jain played a crucial role in stabilizing India D's innings, picking boundaries through covers and mid-wicket against right-arm seamer Mohit Avasthi. His contributions helped India D reach 306 for five at stumps. Earlier, Devdutt Padikkal and K.S. Bharat had laid a solid foundation with a 105-run opening wicket partnership. However, the team's momentum shifted after Chahar dismissed Nishant Sindhu and Shreyas Iyer in consecutive overs.
Padikkal and Bharat faced a challenging period, surviving numerous play-and-misses outside the off-stump as Mukesh, Avasthi, and Saini exploited the movement in the pitch during the first hour.
Despite the early caution, India D's batsmen showed intent against Nitish Kumar Reddy. Devdutt Padikkal punished a full-length delivery, chipping it over mid-wicket for a boundary. He followed it up with another boundary through mid-off, showcasing his attacking intent. There was a moment of doubt when Suryakumar Yadav caught Padikkal's edge at second slip off Saini. However, the third umpire intervened, ruling that the ball had bounced before reaching the cordon. Padikkal's innings came to an end when he was caught behind while attempting to play a shot outside the off stump against Saini. K.S. Bharat's stay was also cut short by a Mukesh bouncer that took his glove and was caught by the wicketkeeper. Ricky Bhui, in continued good form, carried the momentum for India D. However, later he fell victim to Rahul Chahar.
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