The third round of the Duleep Trophy is set to be a thrilling encounter as India B, boosted by the late inclusion of Suryakumar Yadav, faces off against India D at the Rural Development Trust Stadium B-ground in Anantapur. The match holds significance for both teams, with India B’s title hopes hinging on the outcome.
Suryakumar Yadav, initially part of India C, missed the previous round due to a hand injury. After completing his rehab at the National Cricket Academy, he has rejoined the team on the eve of the match, replacing Sarfaraz Khan. His addition provides a much-needed boost to India B’s batting order, which struggled in their previous match, with only openers Abhimanyu Easwaran and N. Jagadeesan managing to score significantly.
India D, on the other hand, will look to capitalize on Suryakumar’s potential weakness against left-arm spinners. His T20 strike rate against left-arm spin is the lowest compared to other types of bowlers he has faced, which could give veteran spinners Saurabh Kumar and Nishant Sindhu an edge.
The match will also see a battle between the two teams’ bowling attacks. India B’s pace and spin spearheads, Mukesh Kumar and Rahul Chahar, will be eager to replicate their impressive performance from the previous match, where they each took four wickets. India D’s bowlers, led by Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Vidwath Kaverappa, will be hoping to emulate Anshul Kamboj’s eight-wicket haul at the venue and exploit the dry and hot conditions of Anantapur to extract reverse swing.
The match promises to be a tightly contested affair, with both teams seeking a strong finish to the tournament. India B will be aiming for a win, while India D will be looking to end the tournament on a high after their impressive 525-run performance in the previous match. With Suryakumar Yadav’s return, India B’s batting order has received a significant boost, but India D’s bowlers will be keen to exploit his potential vulnerabilities. The match is likely to be a thrilling contest, with plenty of action on and off the field.
