Duleep Trophy 2017 Final, Day 2: India Red continue domination; pile up 401-6 before tea against India Blue

Losing only the wicket of Ishank Jaggi, India Red have piled up 401 for 6 before tea.

“It (the pitch) resembles a fourth day surface. They have five stripes with black soil and five with red. The red ones will spin and bounce and the batsmen will enjoy batting here,” marked Amol Mazumdar during the pitch report ahead of play on Day Two of Duleep Trophy 2017 final. There was bounce, there was some spin and batsmen did enjoy themselves as India Red continued their domination. Losing the only wicket of Ishank Jaggi, Red have piled up 401 for 6 before tea.

The day resumed with Jaggi walking out with Washington Sundar. Suresh Raina, the India Blue skipper, is regarded as one of the safest fielders around the world. However, he failed to live up to his reputation as he spilled Jaggi early in the day off the bowling of Bhargav Bhatt. Jaggi remained positive and added 37 for the sixth wicket with Sundar.

However, Raina had his moment as a captain as well. He introduced Pankaj Singh in the 96th over, and the tall pacer repaid the faith by inducing Jaggi’s outside edge to the keeper’s gloves. Jaggi could have left that one alone and should be disappointed for not making the start count. He perished for 30.

Vijay Gohil walked in next. The Mumbai cricketer early in this series made headlines for his record partnership with Baba Indrajith against the same side. He showed no signs of nerves and remained composed.

Sundar and Gohil added an unbeaten stand of 47 for the seventh wicket before the tea break. India Red made use of the pitch first after winning the toss and the side made the strong start count. Prithvi Shaw’s 154 and skipper Dinesh Karthik’s 111 had put them to 300 for 2 at one stage.

In other news, Delhi’s recently appointed skipper Ishant Sharma remained wicket-less. He was plundered for runs on Day One. Though he managed to not go for runs in his session, his wicket column remains 0. Interestingly, the 77-Test-old bowler had failed to claim a wicket in the IPL as well.

Brief scores:

India Red 401 for 6 (Prithvi Shaw 154, Dinesh Karthik 111; Bhargav Bhatt 3 for 118) at tea on Day 2.