After Ricky Bhui put up a valiant hundred to stave off the inevitable, spinners Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian eventually brought India D to its knees, allowing India A to triumph by 186 runs.
In the Duleep Trophy match in Anantapur on Sunday, India A defeated India D by 186 runs, delaying the inevitable with a resolute century from Ricky Bhui. However, spinners Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian eventually brought India D to their knees. Beginning at 44 overnight, Bhui hit 113 (195b, 14×4, 3×6), but India D, at 62 overnight, was bowled out for 301, trailing 488. With six points from the win, India A can still challenge for the championship. However, they must win their upcoming game here starting on September 19 against table-toppers India C (9 points).
India D, eliminated from the championship race following two straight losses, will take face India B, who occupy second position with seven points.
In order to stay in the game, the ‘D’ batsmen had to demonstrate exceptional application on a pitch that provided ample support to the spinners. However, none of them—aside from Bhui—genuinely appeared willing to fight.
After Yash Dubey (37) was run out during Bhui’s 100-run partnership at the second wicket, Mulani trapped Devdutt Padikkal in his following over to reduce India D to 105 for three.
They stitched together two important stands for the next two wickets: Bhui and captain Shreyas Iyer scored 53 runs (41, 55b, 8×4), while Bhui and Sanju Samson scored 62 runs (40, 45b, 3×4, 3×6).However, their stands were more about assertiveness, and on a pitch where spinners made all the decisions, the approach was dangerous.
Mulani, who was later named player of the match, cleaned up both Shryeas and Samson. Shreyas was caught by a sharply turned one, and Samson was unable to pull as the ball rattled the wood.
At the other end, wickets were falling regularly, but Bhui was a picture of assurance, reaching his century in 170 balls.
Subsequently, off-spinner Tanush Kotian went into action, taking out Saransh Jain (5) and Bhui, who was bowled out to Riyan Parag in the deep after six overs.Even though Kotian proceeded to take two more wickets, Saurabh Kumar (22) and Harshit Rana (24), it ended the struggle for India D.
