Duleep Trophy 2018, Match 1: India Red vs India Green – Day 2 Review

At the close of play on day 2 in the Duleep Trophy 2018, the game between India Red and India Green seems to be evenly poised. The Reds, who won the toss and opted to bat first went into the day with an overnight score of 230/6. Ashutosh Singh, who got to his half-century on the first day came out to bat along with Rajneesh Gurbani.

The India Greens’ objective would have been quite clear going into this day. They would have wanted to wrap things up as soon as possible and then put on a big score in the second innings of the game. Rightly so, Ankit Rajpoot, who was impressive on the first day picked up the wicket of Gurbani in the 7th over of the day after the latter contributed 22 runs.

Mihir Hirwani helps India Red run away with the advantage

The India Green bowlers were all pumped to run through the tail as soon as this wicket fell. However, the biggest challenge was yet to unfold. Madhya Pradesh bowler Mihir Hirwani took charge against the Reds bowlers. Along with Ashutosh, the two added quick runs with little trouble; they went on to share a 44-run partnership for the eighth wicket.

But, as the scoreboard read 294 runs, Singh, who showed some great patience and resilience throughout the innings got out playing a rash shot. The Chattisgarh batsman was dismissed 80 runs and failed to convert a gutsy knock into a memorable one. Yet, even after the fall of this wicket, Mihir Harwani kept going after the bowlers.

The leg break bowler played some excellent shots on both sides of the ground. He smashed six boundaries and also tonked two big sixes. Mihir scored 61 off 111 balls before being dismissed by Tamil Nadu bowler Krishnamoorthy Vignesh. Mihir edged it to the opposition skipper Parthiv Patel who pouched a simple catch behind the stumps. Soon, the Greens bundled the Reds for 337 runs, which is an outstanding first innings score considering where they started the day.

Sudip Chatterjee sets a platform

Playing against the pink cherry under lights, the India Green openers struggled against the new ball. Both Priyank Panchal and Prashant Chopra didn’t seem to be comfortable in the middle. It was the man, Rajneesh Gurbani yet again who was on top of his game. He exploited the conditions beautifully with the new ball and sent both the openers backpacking soon enough.

While Panchal was dismissed after he scored 8 runs, Prashant was bowled for 19 runs. Thereafter, Sudip Chatterjee and Baba Indrajith ensured that the team didn’t lose any further wickets on the day. Chatterjee was unbeaten on 57 while Indrajith was at the other end on 32. The India Greens’ score at the close of play on day 2 was 116/2. They still trail the Reds by 221 runs.

Brief Scores:

India Red: 337/10 in 132.5 overs(Ashutosh Singh 80, Mihir Hirwani 61; Ankit Rajpoot 4/57)

India Green: 116/2 in 44 overs(Sudip Chatterjee 57*, Baba Indrajith 32*; Rajneesh Gurbani 2/43)

State of the game: India Green trail by 221 runs with 8 wickets remaining in the innings

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