Anantapur (Andhra Pradesh, Sep 12: He lost his BCCI central contract and was not considered for Team India selection in recent times. But Jharkhand keeper-batsman Ishan Kishan on Thursday hit a superb ton in the Duleep Trophy to remind his critics about his worth.
Playing for India C, Kishan scored 111 in 126 balls with 14 boundaries and three towering sixes against India B on Day 1 of the second round match of the Duleep Trophy, here.
When Kishan walked out to bat, India C asked to bat first were 97/2 in 24.1 overs, with Rajat Patidar (40) and opener Sai Sudharsan (43) back in the pavilion.
When Kishan got out after hitting a stroke filled century, his team was comfortably placed at 286/3 in 65.3 overs.
After Kishan departed, India C lost two more wickets Baba Indrajith (78) and keeper-batsman Abhishek Porel (12).
At stumps on Day 1, India C were 357/5 in 79 overs. Right arm pacer Mukesh Kumar was the most successful bowler for India B with a 3/76 figure.
In the second match on the day, put into bat, India A were struggling at 288/8 in 82 overs at stumps on Day 1.
Maharashtra left-hand all-rounder Shams Zakir Mulani scored a fighting unbeaten 88, playing a sensible knock.
Mulani faced 174 balls and was looking poised for a century, when umpires announced stumps for the day.
Apart from 27-year-old Mulani, his Maharashtra teammate Tanush Kotian scored a valuable 53. The duo fought bravely to withstand a possible batting collapse.
Riyan Parag played a stroke-filled 37 in 29 balls, but failed to continue as he looked rather in unnecessary hurry.
All India D bowlers made merry on helpful conditions and grabbed wickets regularly. Baring Mulani and Kotian, other India A batters failed to read the pitch and got out at regular intervals making things difficult for the lower order.
It is worth mentioning that this year, Duleep Trophy is being played in a new format with four teams India A, B, C and D locking horns. Earlier the tournament was played in the zonal basis.
Brief Scores at Stumps Day 1 :
First Match:
India C 357/5 (79 overs) vs India B
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Second Match:
India A 288/8 (82 overs) vs India D
Matches to Continue.
