In the M Chinnaswamy stadium, Bengaluru, on Sunday, India B beat India A with a massive 76 run win in a Duleep Trophy 2024-25 match. On their second innings, India A were bowled out for 198 runs as Dayal’s left-arm seamers led the attack with figures of 3/50 while Mukesh Kumar and Navdeep Saini supported him with 2/50 and 2/41 respectively; this was in pursuit of target set at 275 runs. Amidst the thrilling match, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant playing for India B attracted everyone’s attention with his comical deeds.
During the 41st over of India A’s chase, Kuldeep Yadav hit a boundary on Sai Kishor’s fifth delivery pointing out that there was some hope left for them. Pant who was behind the stumps asked all of his fielders to come nearer after observing this auguring that Kuldeep might just take a single on the last ball.
As Pant was changing fielders, Kuldeep told him he wouldn’t go for any run at all but when he said so Pant humorously requested an oath from him.
“Main nahi lunga. (I won’t take a single),” said Kuldeep. “Maa Kasam khale nahi lega,” replied Pant.
The match saw India B make a total 184 all out in their second innings within the first session of the day to boast an overall lead of 274.
India B had a reopening score of 150 for six only added 34 to total before wrapping up.
Akash, the pacer who was carted for five boundaries in a row the previous day by Sarfaraz Khan found his rhythm again, ended with five wickets, which included the scalps of Washington Sundar and Saini, (5/56).
According to batter Musheer Khan who was the Player of the Match, “My preparation was really good with my father. I had done well in Ranji so I knew I could get an opportunity here. Every ball I was encouraging him from the non-striker’s end to play it out (his partnership with Saini). I think it was only the first or second time for me to take catches at short leg.”
