Under a picturesque blue sky, the Rural Development Trust Stadium witnessed an enthralling day of cricket as India A and India C locked horns in the third round of the Duleep Trophy. While the runs were hard to come by, the spectators were treated to a captivating display of resilience and skill, particularly from a young left-hander, Shashwat Rawat.
The day began with India C’s seamers, Anshul Kamboj, Gaurav Yadav, and Vyshak Vijaykumar, making the most of the fresh wicket. Exploiting the bounce and movement, they reduced India A to a precarious 38/5. Kamboj, who had starred in the previous match, struck twice in quick succession, dismissing openers Pratham Singh and Mayank Agarwal. Meanwhile, Gaurav Yadav bowled with remarkable control, keeping the runs down and putting pressure on the Indian A batsmen. Tilak Varma, despite facing a relentless attack, looked in good form before falling victim to a run-out.
It was at this crucial juncture that Rawat stepped into the fray. He watched as Kumar Kushagra fell to a ball that moved away from Vyshak, and joined hands with Shams Mulani, a seasoned performer in tough situations. The Mumbai all-rounder, known for his composure in pressure situations, played a crucial role in reviving the innings, adding 87 runs for the sixth wicket. He scored a well-compiled 44 before being brilliantly caught at gully off Gaurav.
However, the responsibility of rescuing India A now rested solely on Rawat’s shoulders. And he did not disappoint. He formed a crucial partnership with Avesh Khan, and together they took the score past 200, ensuring that India A had a decent platform to build upon. Rawat’s sixth First-Class hundred (122 runs off 235 balls, with 15 fours) was a testament to his technique, timing, grit, and skills. His elegant straight and off drives captivated the crowd, who will be eager to see more of his brilliance on day two.
The match remains closely poised, with India A finishing the day at 224/7. Rawat’s heroics have set the stage for a captivating second day’s play, with both sides eager to gain the upper hand.
