Duleep Trophy 2017-18 final, Day 1: Prithvi Shaw’s scintillating hundred propels India Red to 203 for 2 vs India Blue at dinner

Duleep Trophy 2017-18 final is being played at Ekana International Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.

Prithvi Shaw notched up a brilliant hundred to take India Red to 203 for 2 at dinner on Day One of Duleep Trophy 2017-18 final. India Blue managed only 1 wicket in the form of Suryakumar Yadav, and remained at bay with an unbeaten 114-run stand between Shaw and skipper Dinesh Karthik (56). On a batting track at Ekana International Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, Shaw has played his strokes to perfection and carved out an attacking innings. He will go all-out in the final session under lights.

Resuming from 86 for 1, Shaw lost Suryakumar early. The right-hander departed for 8 off Bhargav Bhatt in the first over of the session. He was enticed to come forward to the delivery, got a thick outside edge and was taken cleanly by captain Suresh Raina. However, Karthik and Shaw dented any further breakthrough. Karthik timed well and paced his innings to slam a fine half-century, whereas Shaw smashed Akshay Wakhare and Bhatt to the fence on occasions and forced Raina to change bowlers. Jaydev Unadkat and Raina remained wicketless, whereas Ishant Sharma was expensive of the lot.

Earlier, India Red opted to bat on a dry surface. They started on a positive note and lost Akhil Herwadkar for 25 just before the stroke of tea.

Brief scores:

India Red 203 for 2 (Prithvi Shaw 114*, Dinesh Karthik 56*; Bhargav Bhatt 1 for 49) vs India Blue.