Anantapur (Andhra Pradesh)/ Bengaluru, Sep 7: Left arm spinner Manav Suthar's 8 wickets haul enabled India C to post a 4-wicket victory against India D in just three days in a Duleep Trophy match being played in Anantapur on Saturday.
It was a nail biting contest between the two evenly matched sides, where 36 wickets fell in just three days. But it was Player of the Match Suthar's magical spell that did tilt the match in favour of the winners. India C just had 4 runs lead in the first innings.
But India C with Rajasthan left-arm orthodox spinner Manav Suthar's 7/49 superb spell in the second innings, bundled out India D for 236. Asked to chase a modest target of 232 runs, though India C lost 6 second innings wickets, but finally they achieved the same with 4 wickets in hand.
In the other four-day red-ball match played in Bengaluru, powered by maverick Rishabh Pant's 61 and Sharafraz Khan's 46, India B were 150/6 in their second innings against India A at stumps on Day 3.
With the final day play left, India B were 240 runs ahead with 4 second innings wickets in hand. If they plan to go for a victory, they will have to play aggressively in the first one hour on Sunday. Then of course, they have to get all the 10 second innings wickets of India A.
If India B lose early wickets, then the chances of India A bouncing back on Day 4 cannot be ruled out.
Earlier, India B scored 321 in their first innings with Musheer Khan scoring a mammoth 181.
India A were bundled out for 231, as many of their batters could not convert their starts to big scores.
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 Day 3:
Match in Anantapur:
India D: 164 (48.3 overs) & 236 (58.1 overs)
India C: 168 (62.2 overs) & 233/6 (61 overs).
India C won by 4 wickets.
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Match in Bengaluru:
India B: 321 (116 overs) & 150/6 (31.3 overs)
India A: 231 (72.4 overs)
Match to Continue.