Parag, Rawat fifties strengthen India A’s push for win in the final round of the Duleep Trophy matches here in Anantpur.
Parag and Rawat improved India A’s standing on the third day of the last round of the Duleep Trophy matches in Anantapur.
With four wickets remaining at stumps, they had gained a lead of 63 runs, which they extended to 333 thanks to quick half-centuries from Rawat (53), and Parag (73). When Rawat was caught by left-arm spinner Manav Suthar, the partnership was broken. The two had put up 105 for the fourth wicket.
In the competition, this marked Parag’s first half-century. Along with his 124 in the opening innings, Rawat, a 23-year-old batsman for Baroda, scored two significant centuries in the match—his sixth first-class century in just 17 games. In 2024, three of his hundreds have occurred. The Jharkhand wicketkeeper, Kumar Kushagra, went into the day unbeaten at 40 with Tanush Kotian by his side.
Avesh Khan claimed two of the three wickets that fell, dashing India C’s chances of matching India A’s first-innings 297. Only eighteen more were added to India C’s overnight total.
Anshul Kamboj was the second wicket to fall for left-arm spinner Shams Mulani, who on Friday had dismissed top scorer Abishek Porel for 82. Mulani finished with 2 for 30.
India A, presently ranked third in the four-team competition, needs an outright victory to be in the running for the Duleep Trophy.