Ruturaj Gaikwad was injured two balls into India C’s response and their visitors struggled before Ishan Kishan produced an outstanding 111. Anshul Kamboj finished off their innings by castled Chahar and Mukesh Kumar with stunning wicket-keeping performance to bring up victory.
An exciting draw at the ACA-VDCA cricket stadium illustrated domestic cricket’s rich pool of talent. Abhimanyu Easwaran’s gritty 143 and Shubman Gill’s coming-of-age performance were some of the many standout moments during this exciting contest. For full details, check out the India C Vs India B Cricket Team Match Scorecard, which captures every highlight of this thrilling encounter.
| Date | Tournament | Match | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 12-15, 2024 | Duleep Trophy 2024 | India B vs India C | India C 525 & 128/4; India B 332 (ESPN Cricinfo) | Draw |
| Nov 24, 2022 | Senior Women’s T20 Challenger Trophy 2022 | India B (Women) vs India C (Women) | India B 141; India C 140 (AiScore) | India B won by 1 run |
| Nov 19, 2024 | Senior Women’s T20 Challenger Trophy 2024 | India B (Women) vs India C (Women) | India B 168/6; India C 135/8 (Cricket World) | India B won by 33 runs |
Duleep Trophy 2024
On September 5, the Duleep Trophy returns in its new format: four teams competing against one another to determine supremacy. It marks an important step forward for a tournament that had struggled to remain relevant against IPL and Test cricket stars, and which had long since fallen behind Ranji Trophy’s group system that didn’t represent Indian cricket as it should. Players were reluctant to compete unless there was something important at stake such as international comeback or some personal victory to demonstrate.
But the BCCI has shown its intentions by mandating that centrally contracted cricketers participate in domestic first-class competitions. Since then, this tournament has received an immense boost and its 2024-25 edition promises to be even more thrilling!
As India prepares to host Test series against Australia and tour South Africa for ODIs, the Duleep Trophy provides a critical platform for top domestic talent to present themselves for selection into India’s national squad.
Pacer Prasidh Krishna will look to build on his impressive start, while left-arm spinner Shams Mulani hopes to bowl more significant overs. Ishan Kishan will hope for an impressive comeback, while Abhimanyu Easwaran, Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar will aim to impress selectors with their performances this season. However, fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammad Siraj should all find themselves included; though Khaleel Ahmed Nitish Kumar Reddy and Navdeep Saini may surpass them with impressive performances this season.
Day 1
Day 1 of India’s premier domestic first-class tournament, the Duleep Trophy, brought an intriguing battle between two teams boasting national hope. From Abhimanyu Easwaran’s gritty 143* to Ishan Kishan’s red-ball comeback 111, Day 1 highlighted India’s immense depth of talent while further reinforcing the tournament as a crucial proving ground for Test aspirants.
First-class cricket requires patience and endurance – with bowlers toiling away for hours on end and batsmen crafting innings like architects – this match perfectly captures that spirit.
India C won the toss and decided to field first at Anantapur’s Rural Development Trust Stadium B-ground. Their impressive squad included Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), an opener with silken cover drives; Sai Sudharsan from Tamil Nadu; Rajat Patidar as a middle-order magician adept at pulling spinners; and Anshul Kamboj, an express pacer equipped with an effective leg break.
India B started their reply shakily, but Jagadeesan and Easwaran held together with an effective 75-run partnership by tea to steady the ship. But after tea things unravelled – Mukesh Kumar’s early breakthrough rattled their progress so much so that by lunch they had dropped to 63/2.
Anshul Kamboj took control of India B’s chase with his 5/39 spell. His rapid pace and clever flight threatened to derail Jagadeesan’s run chase; but eventually India B were bowled out for just 332 runs.
Day 2
This game saw incredible ebb and flow. From an all-out 525 run attack to an intense draw that went to extra innings, this contest witnessed exceptional batting performances and extraordinary bowling abilities from both sides of the pitch. Here’s how the action played out day by day:
Ishan Kishan’s comeback century was an emphatic win for India C, giving their first innings lead a significant boost. He made his comeback off 126 balls.
Ruturaj Gaikwad and Baba Indrajith both made half-centuries, but Kishan truly stole the show with his amazing 105*, hitting 10 fours and two sixes on his way. A remarkable effort that brought his side closer to victory.
After lunch break, Mukesh Kumar led India B in wicket taking with five. Navdeep Saini and Nitish Kumar Reddy each managed one wicket each; Washington Sundar then showed his quality with some quick wicket-taking of his own and claimed two fast scalps within minutes, prompting a lull in play before Manav Suthar and Porel made up ground again.
Though India C attempted their best, their lower order couldn’t keep pace with Kishan’s pace and runs began drying up for them. When tea time came around, India C had 483/8 with Suthar making 56 contributions; however, as soon as Anshul Kamboj came into play he unleashed his magic against their opposition and turned things around drastically.
India B was set back by this impressive eight-wicket haul, including one five-wicket haul from him, which led to their innings being put on hold and several key batsmen such as Musheer Khan, Sarfaraz Khan and Rinku Singh being dismissed cheaply.
Time constraints and India’s resilience prevented any definitive results from the Duleep Trophy tournament, featuring four teams filled with international hopefuls. A different format than Ranji Trophy allows young cricketers to showcase their batting and spin skills; and this match was no exception.
Day 3
India B and C teams regularly take part in domestic contests, most notably the Duleep Trophy. This contest serves as a platform to evaluate potential Test stars for India B and C, and often produces memorable moments like Abhimanyu Easwaran’s brilliant 143*; Ishan Kishan’s explosive 111; and Baba Indrajith’s steady 78; all standout performances that graced day two of this contest at Anantapur’s Rural Development Trust Stadium ‘B’ on day 2.
N Jagadeesan and Abhimanyu Easwaran took advantage of an effective first session to forge an unbroken 144-run stand that helped India C reach 357/5 at stumps on Day 2. Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar also contributed an aggressive 82 runs before being bowled by Mukesh Kumar; Mayank Markande and Anshul Kamboj also achieved half-centuries.
Ishan Kishan made another impressive innings by hitting a composed 111 that featured eight boundaries. Kishan appeared in good touch throughout, and could have reached his century but for wicketkeeper Ravindra Jadeja dismissing him off a no-ball off Ravi Jadeja off an unfortunate no-ball delivery by Kishan off a no-ball delivery from Ravindra Jadeja – another stunning display from Kishan who had his central contract cancelled earlier in 2018. It was another excellent showing from Kishan after his removal from central contract earlier this year.
India C has been participating since the early 2000s, yet only gained prominence following the revival of Deodhar Trophy tournaments in 2010s. Over time, they became major competitors, especially tournaments like Challenger Trophy; providing fringe national gamers an avenue to gain visibility and experience; also serving as an excellent platform for talent identification – some IPL and India A players were first discovered through these contests!
Day 4
India B vs India C’s match at Anantapur’s Rural Development Trust Stadium B ended in a draw, as both teams showed plenty of fight and passion on the final day. Abhimanyu Easwaran of India C led with the bat as he scored an astonishing 143* to help his side post 332 runs in their first innings – hitting 12 fours and two sixes along the way! His performance opened up his side’s innings for success. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and Manav Suthar also made half centuries for them while Anshul Kamboj was outstanding as he took eight wickets during his stint on bowling duties for India B as they placed them into strong position on this final day match-up at Rural Development Trust Stadium B in Anantapur!
The Duleep Trophy, an institution of Indian domestic cricket, has long been recognized as a source of future Test stars – this match being no different. From Ishan Kishan’s comeback innings in red ball cricket to Abhimanyu Easwaran’s excellent 143* score, this contest featured many memorable moments that set India C on their path towards success. Anshul Kamboj’s eight-wicket haul and Mukesh Kumar’s early breakthrough bowling contributions also helped their momentum throughout.
This match perfectly showcased India’s domestic cricket talent and depth, as both teams displayed tremendous fighting spirit despite ending in a draw. The tournament’s 61st edition has been revamped, now including both experienced Test players as well as rising young talents hoping to break into national squad. Stay tuned on platforms such as Jio Cinema or ESPNcricinfo for further highlights from India B vs India C!
