Duleep Trophy | India A trickle along after Musheer epic to leave both teams equally poised after Day 2

Musheer Khan and Navdeep Saini got off to a sedate start on Friday at Chinnaswamy Stadium, courtesy of Shubman Gill's decision to take the new ball when it became available an over into the day's play. The duo added just four runs across the first five overs before Musheer seemed to find his rhythm and begin scoring at a quicker rate. He launched Avesh Khan for a maximum and a boundary in the 91st over to clearly declare his intentions but decided to temper his approach withthe milestone of 150 runs on the horizon as the overnight partner‌ship of 108 runs kept extending further. The 19-year-old got to the desired mark with a double in the 102nd over, and Musheer brought up the 200-run partnership eight overs later with a six off Kuldeep Yadav to make it the highest stand for eighth wicket in tournament history. However, another slog attempt two deliveries later eventually led to his departure 19 short of a double ton but Navdeep Saini got to his half-century nevertheless in what ended up being a 144-ball marathon. Eventually, two scalps for Akash Deep in successive overs ensured India B were folded out for 321 heading into Lunch.

With the new ball hooping around significantly upon resumption, Shubman Gill and Mayank Agarwal got off to a cautious start while Nitish Kumar Reddy was handed the new ball to afford some rest to Saini. As the shine off the red cherry wore off though, the two batters began getting increasingly comfortable, prompting Abhimanyu Easwaran to turn to his most experienced operator to provide the breakthrough. It took Saini just two overs to bowl an unplayable inseaming jaffa that jagged in off a length to sneak under Gill's raised arms into the off-stump in what turned out to be the last delivery before Tea, with the score reading 57/1.

Just 7 matches

Musheer Khan is here to rule.



His father said his hundred starts from 150 and he gets the 150.The kind maturity he has shown for long inning is such an encouraging sign.



He is so young but so mature.pic.twitter.com/3R9cBHuM1Z

— Sujeet Suman (@sujeetsuman1991) September 6, 2024

Sad

Musheer Khan once said " Our father has conditioned us to score big, for us, our century starts at 150. He has told us to play our shots after reaching that milestones."

And that’s what he did such a nice guy he is

True respect 🫡 #MusheerKhan



pic.twitter.com/TTrCw42rXp

— Batman 🦇 (@BatmanHoon_) September 6, 2024

Highest

India A vs India B day 2

Stumps: It was a good day for India B, Musheer Khan scored wonderful innings of 181, Saini delivered an impressive batting performance, later he took both wickets with his excellent bowling, India A are off to a steady start at 134/2. #DuleepTrophy2024 pic.twitter.com/9NMSZSeKk1

— Akaran.A (@Akaran_1) September 6, 2024

Fabulous