Washington shines, Ishant unimpressive
LUCKNOW: After two days out in the field, Ishant Sharma failed to take home anything positive even after bowling five spells for India Blue against India Red in the Duleep Trophy final at the Ekana International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
He remained wicket-less after bowling 14 overs conceding 62 runs. Ishant had bowled four spells on the first day of the five-day final on Monday conceding 51 runs. On Tuesday, his only spell of four overs went for 11 runs and he failed to make an impact on the young India Red batsmen.
The day, however, belonged to yet another India under-19 cricketer, Washington Sundar, who notched up his maiden first-class half-century to help India Red post a healthy 483 in their first innings.
On Monday 17-year-old Mumbai batsman Prithvi Shaw had hit a century on his debut.
With India Red resuming on the overnight score of 317 for five, it was left-hander Washington, who set the pace.
The boy from Tamil Nadu hit six fours and five sixes in his 118-ball 88, which helped India Red cross 450-run mark.
Before being caught by Bhargav Bhatt at mid-off off Akshay Wakhre as the last batsman, Washington added 48 runs for the seventh wicket with Vijay Gohil (29, 47b, 6x4) and then 43 runs for the last wicket with Basil Thampi (17*, 22b, 3x4).
Young off-spinner Akshay Wakhare remained the star performer for India Blue on Tuesday bagging three for 95.
Bharagv Bhatt added one more wicket to his overnight kitty of three to finish with four for 154.
Anticipating turn on this slow surface, India Red skipper Dinesh Karthik chose to start with spinners, and it made the right impact on India Blue, who were struggling at 181/5 at the end of day’s play.
Seamers were given just six overs.
Barring Bengal’s young opener Abhimanyyu Easwaran (87*, 123b, 10x4), none could impress. Jayadev Udankat (27, 36b, 1x4) was giving him company at stumps. BRIEF SCORES India Red 483 in 127.2 overs (P Shaw 154, D Karthik 111, W Sundar 88, B Bhatt 4/154, A Wakhare 3/95) vs India Blue 181/5 in 45 overs (A Easwaran 87*, J Unadkat 27*, V Gohil 3/65, W Sundar 2/55).