In a gripping Duleep Trophy encounter in Anantapur, Abhimanyu Easwaran showcased his resilience and skill, carrying the bat with an unbeaten 157 as India B was bowled out for 332 against India C. Despite the challenging circumstances, Easwaran’s remarkable innings was a beacon of hope for his side, who now trail by 216 runs and must avoid the follow-on with just three wickets remaining.
A Stellar Performance Amidst Wickets Falling
Easwaran faced a total of 286 deliveries, striking 14 fours and a six during his innings. His performance was particularly impressive considering the wickets fell regularly from the other end, with no other batter managing to cross the 25-run mark. Before this match, Easwaran had struggled in the first round, scoring just 13 and 4, making his comeback all the more significant.
The opener initially formed a solid partnership of 129 runs with N Jagadeesan, who contributed 70 runs. However, once Jagadeesan was dismissed, Easwaran found himself in a precarious situation as wickets continued to tumble. He managed to add crucial runs with lower-order batsmen, including a 46-run partnership with Sai Kishore, who scored 21 runs.
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Anshul Kamboj’s Bowling Heroics
While Easwaran’s batting was commendable, the spotlight also shone on Anshul Kamboj, who delivered a sensational performance with the ball. The 23-year-old fast bowler recorded remarkable figures of 8 wickets for 69 runs, wreaking havoc in the India B lineup. Kamboj’s bowling display included three bowled and three LBW dismissals, showcasing his ability to maintain a stump-to-stump line.
With this performance, Kamboj became only the third fast bowler in Duleep Trophy history to claim eight or more wickets in an innings, joining the ranks of Debasis Mohanty and Ashok Dinda. His achievement is particularly noteworthy, given that he had not taken more than three wickets in any innings prior to this match.
The Road Ahead for India B
Despite Easwaran’s valiant effort, India B finds itself in a challenging position, trailing India C, who posted a mammoth 525 in their first innings, bolstered by a century from Ishan Kishan. With the pressure mounting, Easwaran’s leadership and performance will be crucial as the team aims to avoid the follow-on and mount a competitive second innings.
The fall of wickets has been a concern, as notable players like Musheer Khan and Sarfaraz Khan fell cheaply for 1 and 16 runs, respectively. The batting order’s fragility has put additional pressure on Easwaran, who is determined to guide his team to a respectable total.
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