Ishan Kishan marked his first-class return after a year with a hundred, helping India C to 357/5 against India B on Day I of their Duleep Trophy match on Thursday.
Kishan’s 111 (126b, 14x4, 3x6) lifted India C from a slightly wobbly 97/2 after they lost Rajat Patidar (40) and B. Sai Sudharsan (43) in quick succession.
The innings also underlined the fitness of the 26-year-old, who was originally in India D squad, as he missed the first round of Duleep Trophy with a groin injury.
Sanju Samson was drafted in as Kishan’s replacement in India D squad, necessitating the redrafting of the former into India C.
India C’s situation on Thursday was compounded by skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad’s return to the hut with an ankle niggle after facing just two balls. However, any majorconcern over Gaikwad’s fitness was allayed when he came out to bat after Kishan’s dismissal, making an unbeaten 46 (50b, 7x4, 2x6) to guard the crease along with Manav Suthar (8 batting).
Kishan had made a hundred in Jharkhand’s opening round win over Madhya Pradesh in the recently concluded Buchi Babu Invitational tournament in Tamil Nadu.
Kishan on Thursday had Baba Indrajith (78, 136b, 9x4) for company as the pair milked 189 runs for the third wicket.
Kishan played late and close to his body to nip the early movement. He got 10 boundaries through square and fine-leg regions. The left-hander was not hesitant to flex his muscles whenever there was an opportunity.
He hammered Navdeep Saini for two sixes in the fine leg region and once also lifted Mukesh Kumar over the mid-wicket boundary.
Mulani to rescue
Bowling all-rounder Shams Mulani stood on the cusp of his maiden first-class hundred after leading India A’s remarkable recovery to steer them to 288/8 on the opening day of their match against India D.
Mulani (88 not out off 174) forged a 91-run stand with Tanush Kotian (53 off 80) to save the day for India A, who were reduced to 93/5 inside the first session.
Kumar Kushagra (28 off 66) too provided some much-needed support to Mulani, who collected eight fours and three sixes in his unbeaten effort. The southpaw would be aiming to surpass his highest score of 97 on Friday.
Mulani, whose mainly plays as a spinner, effectively used his feet against the slow bowlers, especially against left-armer Saurabh Kumar. Against the quicker bowlers, his play square of the wicket stood out.
For India D, pacers Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh and Vidwath Kaverappa got two wickets each.
Summarised scores
India C 357/5 (Ishan Kishan 111, Baba Indrajith 78, Ruturaj Gaikwad 46 batting; Mukesh Kumar 3/76) vs India B
India A 288/8 (Shams Mulani 88 batting, Tanush Kotian 53; Harshit Rana 2/49, Vidhwath Kaverappa 2/30, Arshdeep Singh 2/73) vs India D
With inputs from PTI
