Inderjith’s ton helps India Red recover after a shaky start
UP seamer Ankit Rajpoot picks three wickets for India Green
KANPUR: Energetic batsman Baba Inderjith struck yet another first-class century to help India Red stage a remarkable comeback to finish the day at respectable 291 for nine on the opening day of their four-day Duleep Trophy tie against India Blue here on Wednesday.
Right-hand batsman Inderjit was on 59th when India Red’s ninth wicket fell at 205 in 65.5 overs, and a recovery from this stage almost looked uncertain. But the 23-year-old boy from Chennai didn’t lose his heart and not only helped the side come out of the early shocks, but also put them in a strong position at the end of the day’s play, letting his willow do the talking.
His unbeaten 181-ball 120, which contained 12 hits to the fence and two sixes, remained his fifth first-class century in his 33rd match. He along with lastman Vijay D Gohil (22*, 35b, 4x4) has so far added unbeaten 86-run for the 10th wicket.
Undoubtedly, it was a courageous show of willow by Inderjith, who didn’t give even a single chance to Suresh Raina and Co to pose any threat to him. He along with Gohil kept teasing the India Blue bowlers, who looked frustrated at the end of day’s play.
It was an obvious start for India Blue early in the day when Uttar Pradesh paceman Ankit Rajpoot’s 3/33 guided the side reduce India Red to 161/7 at the dinner break. Local boy Ankit kept mesmerizing India Red batsmen with pink ball.
Rajpoot removed the hero of the previous match Priyank Panchal for 36 (78 balls), trapping him leg-before the wicket. The right-handed Gujarat batsman had added 70 runs for the first wicket with Sudip Chatterjee. Both the batsmen had done well in the previous game and once again provided the team with a solid start.
However, once Panchal was dismissed, Chatterjee followed and then a flurry of wickets saw them get reduced to 99 for four. International stars Rishabh Pant and Karn Sharma, who have represented India at various levels, failed to fire and soon India Red were struggling at 138 for six. While Rajpoot was responsible for breaking the strong opening stand, India Blue skipper Suresh Raina provided the second breakthrough as he castled Chatterjee to give his side a lucky and fortunate break. Raina backed his experience, bringing himself early just as the new ball had begun to lose its shine.
Services batsman Rahul Singh couldn’t stay at the crease for long, and was caught behind by Ishan Kishan off the bowling of Rajpoot for a mere seven. Soon former India international Dinesh Karthik, who had looked good at the crease, scoring 15 runs quickly (24 balls, 2x4s), fells soon after. It was a big blow as Karthik was looking to bring in a sense of urgency to the innings. He was trapped leg-before by Baroda left-arm spinner Bhargav Bhatt. Bhatt, Maharshtra offie Akshay Wakhare, Raina and quite interestingly, Manoj Tiwary picked a wicket apiece to inflict dents in Red innings.