The 2024 Duleep Trophy reached a thrilling climax when India A, under the leadership of Mayank Agarwal, secured victory over India C in a match that will be remembered for a remarkable fielding effort by Tilak Varma. The final, played in Anantapur, saw India A dominate across both innings, but it was Varma’s stunning catch that proved to be the decisive moment of the match.
With India C on the verge of a valiant comeback, their hopes were pinned on the experienced Baba Indrajith, who had already battled through a painful hamstring injury earlier in the game. Indrajith, determined to lead his team through the tough chase, returned to the crease despite his injury, determined to save the match for his side. His bravery was applauded, but he could only last two deliveries before falling to a sharp piece of fielding brilliance by Tilak Varma.
In the tense final overs of Day 4, with just one wicket separating India A from victory, Prasidh Krishna delivered a well-directed ball that Indrajith attempted to flick away towards leg-slip. Positioned at leg-slip, Varma dove low to his right, executing a sensational catch to dismiss the injured batter. The moment sealed India A’s victory, sending waves of excitement through the team and their supporters.
The catch, described as nothing short of spectacular, was one of the highlights of a dominant performance by India A. Varma, known for his sharp reflexes and athleticism, timed his dive to perfection, ensuring that Indrajith’s heroic efforts came to a heartbreaking end. The dismissal left India C just one wicket away from defeat, and soon after, the last wicket fell, handing India A the Duleep Trophy.
Prasidh Krishna and Tanush Kotian had already wreaked havoc on the opposition earlier in the innings, with Krishna taking 3 wickets for 50 runs and Kotian matching the effort with figures of 3 for 47. India C struggled throughout the chase, losing key wickets at regular intervals. Despite a century from Sai Sudharsan, who resisted valiantly, the pressure was too much for India C, especially after Sudharsan’s dismissal at the hands of Krishna.
Earlier in the match, India A had posted a competitive first innings score, led by a century from Shaswat Rawat, who followed up his first-innings heroics with a composed half-century in the second. With Varma’s brilliant century in the middle order, India A set a mammoth target of 488 for India C to chase. Despite a resilient effort from Sudharsan and some late resistance from the tailenders, Varma’s diving effort effectively ended the contest.
This victory not only highlights the growing prominence of young players like Varma in Indian cricket but also emphasizes the importance of fielding in modern-day cricket. Varma’s catch will be remembered as one of the finest moments in the Duleep Trophy’s history, a fitting conclusion to a hard-fought final.
India A’s triumph adds another accolade to Mayank Agarwal’s captaincy, with the team showing their all-around strength throughout the tournament. Varma, with his all-round contribution, both with the bat and in the field, has further cemented his position as one of the brightest talents in Indian cricket, drawing praise from fans and experts alike.
As India A lifted the Duleep Trophy, the celebrations were well underway, but it was Tilak Varma’s catch that stole the spotlight, a moment that will be replayed for years to come.