Duleep Trophy: Ruturaj Gaikwad opens the tournament with a win for India C against India D

India C under the captaincy of Ruturaj Gaikwad registered the first victory of Duleep Trophy on Saturday. Delivering an impressive performance with both the ball and the bat, India C successfully chased down a target of 233 set by India D on the third afternoon in Anantapur. Ruturaj Gaikwad played a key role in his team's victory. Moreover, significant contributions from Rajat Patidar, Aryan Juyal, and Abishek Porel ensured that an impressive spell of 4 for 92 by Saransh Jain for India D went unrewarded. Manav Suthar, meanwhile, was declared the Player of the Match as he sealed off the match with 8 wickets to his credit.

India C wins the Duleep Trophy opener as Manav Suthar scripts a bowling masterclass

The match had been evenly poised at the end of play on Friday, with a five-wicket haul by Manav Suthar playing an instrumental role. The spinner went on to add two more wickets on Saturday morning, finishing with outstanding figures of 7 for 49 in the second innings of the domestic match. India D, brought on to their knees by Suthar, could only add 30 runs to their overnight score of 206/8 as they ultimately set a target of 233 for India C.

The tone for Gaikwad’s team win was set late on Friday as the Shreyas Iyer-led team faltered after a good start by Padikkal and Iyer. After the opening duo of Atharv Taide and Yash Dube departed at the scores of 15 and 5 respectively, Padikkal and Iyer walked in to stabilize the innings. Shreyas Iyer chased a half century quickly before he fell to a delivery by Anshul Kamboj. Devdutt Padikkal who was beaten at a duck in the first innings registered a quickfire half century himself. However, as Padikkal scored 56, Suthar kicked off his magnificent spell claiming The Karnataka batter as his first victim of the second innings.

After that, it was a Suthar show through and through as he claimed three of India D's batters at duck. Axar Patel, who had provided credibility to India D’s batting in the first innings with a fighting score of 80, walked off at 28 off 59 in the final innings against Suthar. Ultimately, Suthar claimed the scalps of Patel, KS Bharat, and Ricky Bhui among others, forcing India D to conclude their inning at 236. Skipper Gaikwad set the tone for the chase by hitting two boundaries off Harshit Rana's first two deliveries. Both Gaikwad and his opening partner Sai Sudharsan found boundaries with ease against Rana and Arshdeep Singh, who together conceded 45 runs in just six overs. This prompted Shreyas Iyer to introduce spinners Axar Patel and Saransh Jain early in the Duleep Trophy contest.

Saransh Jain counters Suthar's brilliance but the win slips out of India D's clutch

While the chase of 233 set by India D for India C looked easily attainable, Saransh Jain ensued a mini collapse for the Gaikwad-led side. India C still had eight wickets in hand and needed just 68 runs to win. However, Saransh Jain caused India C to lose 4 wickets for 26 runs over the course of next 12 overs. Saransh provided the breakthrough by dismissing Sudharsan for 22 in the 11th over. Gaikwad, who had already reached the 40s with eight boundaries, was the next to fall, caught by Saransh for 46 off 48 balls.

Aryan Juyal and Rajat Patidar then stabilized the innings with an 88-run partnership, though India D struggled to make further breakthroughs. The duo adopted a more measured approach compared to the openers, steadily reducing the target. However, Saransh weaved the way back for his team in the match, breaking a crucial 88-run partnership as he dismissed Rajat Patidar for 44 with a stumping in the 38th over. In the following over, Arshdeep Singh removed Patidar's partner Aryan Juyal, who was caught for 47. Saransh continued his destructive spell by dismissing Baba Indrajith shortly after, while Axar Patel took out Hrithik Shokeen.

However, hero of India C’s bowling inning, Suthar then partnered Abishek Porel as the duo added 42 runs to ensure a smooth finish for their team. Porel, especially, played a pivotal role as he remained unbeaten on 35* to guide India C across the finish line without further issues. In another update, Rishabh Pant scripted an impressive comeback to red-ball cricket on Saturday as he redeemed his first inning falter with a half century in the second innings. The Abhimanyu Easwaran led India B has set a 230-run lead over the Shubman Gill led India A at the end of third day in Bengaluru.