Washington Sundar smashed a fifty and scalped two key batsmen to put India Red in the driver’s seat against India Blue on the second day of the Duleep Trophy final at Lucknow on Wednesday. The 17-year-old Sundar blasted six fours and five sixes in his 88-run knock after India Red resumed their innings at 317/5, PTI reported.
Sundar was supported by Vijay Gohil (29) and Basil Thampi (17) as India Red posted 483 in their first innings. In reply, opener Abhimanyu Easwaran (87) scored an unbeaten 123-ball 87, laced with 10 boundaries to take India Blue to 181/5. At stumps, Jaydev Unadkat (27) was giving company to Easwaran with India Blue still trailing by 302 runs at the Ekana International Stadium.
Off-spinner Sundar (2/55) and left-arm spinner Gohil (3/65) weaved a spin web to make life difficult for India Blue, who had some experienced batsmen such as Suresh Raina (1) and Manoj Tiwary (25). Easwaran and wicket-keeper batsman Srikar Bharat (8) shared a 50-run opening partnership before Gohil dismissed the latter in the 16th over.
Tiwary then joined Easwaran and the duo added another 42 runs when Gohil returned to induce a thick edge which was nicely caught behind by Dinesh Karthik. In the next over, skipper Raina became a victim of Sundar as India Blue slipped to 94/3 in the 29th over.
Deepak Hooda (12) also couldn’t stay longer as he was sent back by Gohil with Siddarth Kaul taking the catch. Ishan Kishan’s (0) stay lasted just five balls when he became the second victim of Sundar, who trapped him leg-before. Unadkat then shared an unconquered 58-run stand with Easwaran.
Brief Scores:
India Red 483 (Washington Sundar 88; Bhargav Bhatt 4/154) lead India Blue 181/5 (Abhimanyu Easwaran 87*; V Gohil 3/65) by 302 runs
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