Cheteshwar Pujara looked brilliant while Suryakumar Yadav played his natural attacking game as their contrasting half-centuries put the Central Zone in complete control after left-arm medium pacer Arjan Nagwaswala’s five-wicket haul on the second day of the Duleep Trophy semi-final. Gave. Final here on Thursday.
At stumps, West Zone were 149 for 3 in their second essay, increasing their total to 241.
This happened when Shivam Mavi (6/44) bundled out West Zone’s first innings for 220, adding just four runs to their night’s score. But the joy proved short-lived as Nagwaswala, who went with India’s senior team on the 2021 tour of England as a net bowler, took 5/74 in 14.3 overs as Central Zone were bundled out for 128 in just 31.3 overs. Gave.
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Although he was attacked for runs, he always found success at the right time during his sixth five-wicket haul in first-class cricket. Barring Dhruv Jurel (46) and his UP teammate Rinku Singh (48), none of the Central batsmen could cross a personal score of 15 and seven of them were dismissed before reaching double figures.
Emboldened by a 92-run first innings lead, West’s batsmen proved themselves to be far superior as Pujara remained unbeaten on 50 off 103 balls with five fours at the end of the second day’s play.
However, Suryakumar’s 52 off 58 balls studded with eight fours and a six could have given the Wests a decisive edge. India’s two international players added 95 runs in just 24 overs. Sarfaraz Khan (6 batting) will get a chance to make up for his 12-ball 0 in the first innings.
Day 3 is expected to be the best day to bat and West, having already got one foot in the door of the summit clash, will look to finish the game as a contest unless Avesh Khan and Shivam Mavi work their magic Can’t get and maintain the lead. Target within reach.
Suryakumar was tough on the pacers as Avesh was pulled behind square for six while Mavi and Yash Thakur were also punished. He hit three fours each on fast bowler Yash Thakur and left-arm spinner Saurabh Kumar. There were a few hits on the fence from Mavi’s bowling.
Pujara’s innings featured a few extra cover drives, two conventional clips towards deep mid-wicket and a square cut that went away. A big score will surely boost his confidence after being dropped from the Indian team that toured the West Indies.
Abbreviated Score:
West Zone: 220 all out in 92.5 overs (Shivam Mavi 6/44) and 149/3 in 39 overs (Cheteshwar Pujara 50 batting, Suryakumar Yadav 52, Sarfaraz Khan batting 6, Saurabh Kumar 2/34).
Midfield: 128 in 31.3 overs (Rinku Singh 48, Dhruv Jurel 46, Arjan Nagwaswala 5/74).