In a thrilling climax to the Duleep Trophy 2024, Mayank Agarwal’s India A team emerged victorious, securing the title with a dominant performance against India C. The final day at Anantapur witnessed a dramatic shift in momentum, with India A’s bowlers taking charge in the final session of the fourth innings.
India A, needing an outright win to claim the top spot, set India C a target of 350 runs to win. The bowlers, fueled by a relentless desire to claim the trophy, bowled out the opposition for 217, securing a comfortable 132-run victory. This victory was a testament to the team’s resilience and their ability to perform under pressure.
Earlier in the match, India A had taken a significant lead in the first innings after restricting India C to 234 in response to their own score of 297. B. Sai Sudharsan’s valiant century (111 runs) and a crucial knock from skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad (44 runs) kept India C in the hunt for a draw, but the team’s hopes were dashed as they were bowled out with less than three overs remaining in the day. A draw would have been enough to secure the title for Gaikwad’s team.
The battle for the championship was further intensified by India B’s performance in the third round. Despite being placed second in the table before the final round, India B unfortunately lost their chance to claim the top spot. They conceded the first innings lead to India D, failing to capitalize on India C’s stumble. Set a target of 373 runs in the fourth innings, India B crumbled to a dismal score of 115 all out, ending their campaign with zero points from the third round encounter.
This Duleep Trophy final was a thrilling showcase of talent and determination, with India A’s victory marking a triumphant return to the top of the tournament. The team’s dominance in the final session, fueled by exceptional bowling performances, ensured a decisive victory, cementing their place as the champions of the Duleep Trophy 2024.
