Duleep Trophy 2024, Match 5 Day 1 Review: India B vs India D Highlights, Player Performances, and Stats

Sanju Samson's belligerent 89* turned out to be the main highlight on Day 1 of the fifth match in the Duleep Trophy 2024 between India B and India D at the Rural Development Trust Stadium 'B' in Anantapur on Thursday, September 19.

Abhimanyu Easwaran won the toss earlier in the day and opted to field first. India D got off to a solid start as Devdutt Padikkal (50) and Srikar Bharat (52) forged a 105-run opening partnership. However, both of them fell shortly after getting to their half-centuries. Ricky Bhui, who scored a century in the last game against India A, stitched a 54-run stand with Nishant Sindhu before the latter became Rahul Chahar's first victim of the day.

India D captain Shreyas Iyer walked out to bat at No. 5 but he was dismissed for his second duck in the tournament. Chahar took the important wicket of Iyer as India D slumped to 175/4. Samson joined Bhui in the middle before the latter departed for an 87-ball 56. Chahar picked up his third wicket of the day as Bhui was caught by Navdeep Saini.

Also Read: Duleep Trophy 2024, Match 6 Day 1 Review: India A vs India C Highlights, Player Performances, and Stats

Sanju Samson leads fightback alongside Saransh Jain

Samson was joined at the crease by Madhya Pradesh all-rounder Saransh Jain, with the score at 216/5. The right-hand-left-hand combination worked wonders for India D as they thwarted their 'B' teammates for the rest of the day.

Samson took the attack to the India B bowlers, while Jain held one end up. The Kerala captain smashed 89 runs off just 83 deliveries, belting 10 fours and three sixes in his knock. Meanwhile, Jain finished on 26 not out off 56 balls after hitting four boundaries. They added 90 runs off just 114 balls for the sixth wicket as India D finished on 306/5 in 77 overs at Stumps on Day 1.

Apart from Chahar's three-for, pacers Mukesh Kumar and Saini took one wicket apiece in India B's bowling essay. Mukesh was the most economical bowler on the day as he conceded just 37 runs in the 16 overs he bowled. The match is intriguingly set up and the first session on Day 2 is going to be very crucial for both teams.