Easwaran’s Defiance Highlights India B Effort Amidst Anshul Kamboj’s Five-Wicket Blitz

In their Duleep Trophy match here on Saturday, India B’s opener Abhimanyu Easwaran produced a courageous century to lead his side to 309 for 7, comfortably ahead of India C, who still appeared to be in control and would likely force a follow-on.

Even after Easwaran’s perfect score of 143, India B is behind India C by 216 runs and needs 66 more runs with three wickets remaining to avoid a follow-on.

Ishan Kishan struck a century as India C amassed a massive 525 in their opening innings.

The India B captain won the third day of the match with a patient 262-ball 143, setting off a chain reaction of wickets that saw India C pacer Anshul Kamboj take five wickets (5/66 in 23.5 overs) and send Easwaran’s squad to its knees.

Bengal batsman Easwaran remained unfazed by the wicket-taking at the other end and continued to pose a threat to the India C bowlers; nevertheless, he still needs to perform well on Sunday to prevent a follow-on.

With Easwaran (overnight 51 not out) and Narayan Jagadeesan (overnight 67 not out) holding down the fort to start the day at 124 for no loss, India B were spooked quite quickly when Kamboj struck in just the fourth over of the morning session.

The dangerous Jagadeesan, who had only added three runs to his personal total, was dismissed by the 23-year-old Haryana pacer, who had appeared in a few IPL matches for the Mumbai Indians last season. The Tamil Nadu batsman was then caught for 70 by wicket-keeper Abhishek Porel, ending the 129-run partnership.

Next, Kamboj dismissed brothers Sarfaraz Khan and Musheer for a meagre 1 and 16 runs, respectively, before bringing hard-hitters Rinku Singh (6) and Nithis Kumar Reddy (2) to the field, totally destabilising India B.

When Easwaran’s team was 194 for 5, things were hopeless, but the captain decided to stand by his team despite some aggressive bowling from Kamboj. He repaired the damage with a 43-run partnership with Washington Sundar (13) and a 46-run partnership with Sai Kishore (21).

Rahul Chahar (18 not out) was keeping company with Easwaran at stumps, but with three wickets remaining, it might be hard for India B to escape a follow-on.

Ruturaj Gaikwad, the captain of India C, may even choose not to enforce a follow-on because tomorrow is the final day of the match and they will receive three crucial points based on their lead in the first innings.

However, if Gaikwad enforces the follow-on and wins the match, his team will earn six points.

Brief Score:

India C: 525 all in 124.1 overs vs India B: 309 for 7 in 101 overs (Abhimanyu Easwaran batting 143, Narayan Jagadeesan 70; Anshul Kamboj 5/66).

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