Duleep Trophy 2017-18, Dinner report, Day 3: India Red lead Blue by 283 runs

With a whopping first-innings lead, India Red have their nose ahead in claiming Duleep Trophy 2017-18 title.

With a whopping 184-run lead, India Red have moved a step closer towards claiming Duleep Trophy 2017-18 title versus India Blue. Resuming Day Three at 181 for 5, India Blue fought hard courtesy a 140-run stand between opener Abhimanyu Easwaran (127) and Jaydev Unadkat. Nonetheless, once partnership was broken, India Red dismissed them for 299. In reply, they are 99 for 4; lead by 283 runs.

Washington Sundar and Vijay Goel’s 5-fors restricted India Blue under 300. The big lead ensured India Red a good platform to set a mammoth target. However, Suresh Raina’s team struck with early blows in the second innings. First innings centurion, Prithvi Shaw departed for a whirlwind 33-ball 31. Akhil Herwadkar, Ishank Jaggi and skipper Dinesh Karthik fell to the duo of Akshay Wakhare and Bhargav Bhatt. Wakhare and Bhatt continued to impress, but need to fold Red’s innings before they surge the overall lead by 400.

After the early storms, Sundar and Baba Indrajith have bought their time and stitched an unbeaten 41-run stand for the fifth wicket. With two full days left, the pair will like to build a strong platform. A riveting evening session on cards.

Brief scores:

India Red 483 all-out & 99 for 4 (Prithvi Shaw 31, Baba Indrajith 35*; Akshay Wakhare 2 for 34, Bhargav Bhatt 1 for 46) lead India Blue 299 all-out (Abhimanyu Easwaran 127, Jaydev Unadkat 83; Washington Sundar 5 for 94, Vijay Goel 5 for 121) by 283 runs.