Duleep Trophy 2024: Devdutt Padikkal and Shreyas Iyer Shine with Fifties as India D Extends Lead to 202 Runs

Anantapur: Impressive fifties from captain Shreyas Iyer and Devdutt Padikkal helped India D extend their lead to 202 runs against India C on the second day of the Duleep Trophy 2024 match on Friday. Looking to make a strong comeback for India, Iyer scored 54 runs off 44 balls with nine fours and a six, while Padikkal contributed with a solid 56 off 70 balls, including eight boundaries.

At stumps, India D were 206/8 in their second innings with Axar Patel (11 off 37 balls) and Harishit Rana at the crease. Rana was yet to open his account, and he will look to support the experienced Axar in the first session of the third day as India C look to extend their lead and put pressure on their opponents.

Young left-arm spinner Manav Suthar was the star of the day for India C, returning excellent figures of 5/30 in 15 overs, including picking the wickets of a well-set Padikkal and Ricky Bhui, who was trapped in front of the wicket for a vital 91-ball 44.

But it was the 53-run partnership between Iyer and Padikkal that steadied the India D innings after they lost their openers Atharva Taide and Yash Dubey with 40 runs on the board. Earlier, resuming their first innings at overnight 91/4, India C were bowled out for 168 runs, largely due to a brilliant bowling display from Harshit Rana, who took 4/33, and Axar, who chipped in with 2/46.

The seasoned Baba Indrajith top-scored for India C with 72 off 149 balls, while Abhishek Porel contribute 34 in 61 deliveries.