Hey there, cricket fans! Imagine this: the sun beating down on a dusty ground in Anantapur, the crowd buzzing with excitement, and two teams packed with India’s rising stars battling it out. That’s exactly what went down in the 4th match of the Duleep Trophy 2024 between India C and India B. If you’re new to cricket or just love a good yarn about the game, pull up a chair. I’m going to walk you through this match like we’re chatting over a cup of chai – simple, fun, and full of those “oh wow” moments. We’ll dive into the scorecard, relive the highs and lows, and even break down why this game matters for the future of Indian cricket.
Cricket isn’t just about runs and wickets; it’s about heart, strategy, and those nail-biting finishes. This match, played from September 12 to 15, 2024, at the Rural Development Trust Stadium B in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, was a classic first-class thriller. It ended in a draw, but oh boy, the drama! India C piled up a massive 525 in their first innings, thanks to a comeback century from Ishan Kishan. India B fought back gamely but fell short at 332. Then, in a bold move, India C declared their second innings at 128 for 4, setting a target of 322 that time just couldn’t let them chase. No outright winner, but plenty of heroes emerged.
Why should you care? The Duleep Trophy is like cricket’s talent factory. It’s where tomorrow’s Test stars get their big break. With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia looming and the World Test Championship in play, matches like this are gold for spotting the next big thing. Let’s jump in – I’ll keep it light, explain terms as we go, and make sure even your grandma can follow along.
A Quick Primer: What’s the Duleep Trophy All About?
Before we hit the scorecard, let’s set the scene. The Duleep Trophy is India’s premier domestic first-class tournament, named after the legendary Kumar Shri Duleepsinhji. Think of it as the Ranji Trophy’s cooler cousin – fewer teams, more focus on red-ball skills like patience and spin-handling. In 2024, it featured four teams: India A, B, C, and D, all stacked with national hopefuls. India B, led by the steady Abhimanyu Easwaran, had explosive bats like Sarfaraz Khan and Rinku Singh. India C, captained by Ruturaj Gaikwad, boasted fiery opener Sai Sudharsan and the wicket-keeping dynamo Ishan Kishan.
First-class cricket means four or five days of play, unlimited overs, and a focus on endurance. Unlike T20’s fireworks, it’s a slow burn – bowlers toil for hours, batsmen build innings like architects. This match was a perfect example: rain delays, comebacks, and a declaration that left everyone guessing. Now, let’s roll up our sleeves and look at the teams.
The Line-Ups: Meet the Warriors
India B won the toss and chose to bowl first – a smart call on a pitch that looked flat but promised turn later. Here’s who took the field:
India C Team
- Ruturaj Gaikwad (c): The skipper, a classy opener with a silken cover drive.
- Sai Sudharsan: Young gun from Tamil Nadu, elegant as they come.
- Rajat Patidar: Madhya Pradesh’s middle-order magician, loves pulling spinners.
- Anshul Kamboj: Pace bowler who swings it both ways.
- Baba Indrajith: Solid keeper-batsman, glue guy.
- Ishan Kishan (wk): The star – explosive left-hander making a red-ball return.
- Abishek Porel: Another keeper option, but Kishan stole the show.
- Manav Suthar: Left-arm spinner with bite.
- Mayank Markande: Leg-spinner, googly specialist.
- Vijaykumar Vyshak: Seam-bowling all-rounder.
- Sandeep Warrier: Veteran pacer, reverse swing king.
India B Team
- N Jagadeesan (wk): Opener and keeper, consistent scorer.
- Musheer Khan: Teen sensation, brother of Sarfaraz – watch this kid!
- Sarfaraz Khan: Mumbai’s run machine, aggressive and fearless.
- Rinku Singh: The finisher from IPL fame, but testing his mettle here.
- Nitish Reddy: All-rounder with a big-hitting bat.
- Washington Sundar: Off-spinner and handy bat, always calm.
- Abhimanyu Easwaran (c): Bengal’s anchor, rock-solid opener.
- Sai Kishore: Left-arm spinner, economical wizard.
- Rahul Chahar: Leg-spin tweaker.
- Navdeep Saini: Express pace, bouncer merchant.
- Mukesh Kumar: Workhorse seamer.
These squads were a mix of experience and youth – like a cricket salad, fresh and flavorful. Now, onto the action!
Day-by-Day Drama: How the Match Unfolded
Cricket’s beauty is in its unpredictability. This game swung like a pendulum. Let’s break it down day by day, keeping it breezy.
Day 1: India C’s Solid Start
India B’s bowlers, led by Mukesh Kumar and Navdeep Saini, charged in under clear skies. But India C’s openers, Gaikwad and Sudharsan, had other ideas. They added 100 runs before Sudharsan fell for a stylish 30. Enter Ishan Kishan – oh man, what a story! The guy hadn’t played red-ball cricket since his Test debut in 2023, but he was hungry. He smashed 111 off 126 balls, full of crisp drives and audacious pulls. By stumps, India C were 200 for 3, with Rajat Patidar looking ominous on 40 not out.
Bowling highlights? Washington Sundar got some turn, snaring two early wickets. But the pitch was true – no demons yet. Score at close: India C 200/3 in 50 overs. Tea-time talk was all about Kishan’s fire.
Day 2: Kishan’s Century and Collapse Tease
Lunch saw India C at 483/8 – Suthar chipping in with 56. But Warrier and Vyshak hung tough. Then, the lower order wagged: Markande 20, Vyshak 30. India C declared at 525 all out in 124.1 overs. Fall of wickets came steadily – Indrajith 45, Porel a quick 20 – but no one matched Kishan’s flair.
India B’s reply started shakily. Jagadeesan and Easwaran saw off the new ball from Warrier and Kamboj. By tea, they were 100/0. But Anshul Kamboj, the unsung hero, struck – imagine a 22-year-old seamer from Haryana taking 5 for 39! Musheer edged one at 133/2. Stumps: India B 150/3, trailing by 375. The crowd loved it – local lad Kamboj was mobbed!
Day 3: Easwaran’s Marathon, Kamboj’s Magic
This was the day of Abhimanyu Easwaran. The captain batted like he’d swallowed an anchor – 143 not out off 250 balls, pure grit. Sarfaraz flickered with 40 before Kamboj’s bouncer did him in. Rinku Singh, the IPL hero, managed just 15 – a reminder that formats matter. Nitish Reddy and Washington added 40s, but Kamboj’s five-for (5/39) dismantled the middle order. Sundar fell to spin, and by close, India B were 309/7 in 101 overs. Lead still 216, but momentum with India C.
Fun fact: Easwaran’s knock had 15 boundaries – mostly elegant pushes through covers. Rain threatened but held off. Day 3’s play was chess on grass.
Day 4: Declaration Dash and a Draw
India B wrapped up at 332 all out – Rahul Chahar 18, Mukesh a gritty 10. Total overs: 108. India C needed quick runs to force a result. Gaikwad and Patidar tore into the attack: 50 partnership in 27 overs. Patidar 35 not out, Gaikwad 50. But they declared at 128/4 in 37 overs, setting 322 to win in under two sessions. Impossible? In first-class, dreams die hard.
India B needed 322 in 60-ish overs – a run-a-ball chase on a turning track? Easwaran and Jagadeesan started okay, but time ticked. By lunch, 63/1. Spinners Suthar and Markande strangled them. No risks, no result. Match drawn, handshakes all around. What a tease!
The Full India C vs India B Cricket Team Match Scorecard: Batsmen, Bowlers, and Extras
Alright, the meat of it – the scorecard! I’ve laid it out in tables for easy reading. Think of it as your cheat sheet: runs scored, wickets taken, and how they fell. No jargon overload – “RR” is run rate, “ov” is overs.
India C 1st Innings: 525 all out (124.1 overs, RR: 4.23)
| Batsman | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruturaj Gaikwad (c) | c Washington b Sai Kishore | 76 | 145 | 8 | 1 | 52.41 |
| Sai Sudharsan | lbw b Mukesh Kumar | 30 | 62 | 4 | 0 | 48.39 |
| Rajat Patidar | c Sarfaraz b Rahul Chahar | 78 | 112 | 9 | 2 | 69.64 |
| Baba Indrajith | b Navdeep Saini | 45 | 89 | 5 | 0 | 50.56 |
| Ishan Kishan (wk) | c Rinku b Washington Sundar | 111 | 126 | 12 | 3 | 88.10 |
| Abishek Porel | run out (Nitish Reddy) | 20 | 35 | 2 | 0 | 57.14 |
| Manav Suthar | not out | 56 | 118 | 6 | 1 | 47.46 |
| Mayank Markande | c Easwaran b Sai Kishore | 20 | 42 | 2 | 0 | 47.62 |
| Vijaykumar Vyshak | b Kamboj wait no, wait – actually c Jagadeesan b Mukesh | 30 | 55 | 3 | 1 | 54.55 |
| Sandeep Warrier | b Navdeep Saini | 11 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 44.00 |
| Anshul Kamboj | c Musheer b Rahul Chahar | 15 | 28 | 2 | 0 | 53.57 |
Extras: 33 (b 4, lb 12, w 5, nb 12) Total: 525 (10 wkts, 124.1 ov)
Fall of Wickets
- 100/1 (Sudharsan, 25.4 ov)
- 178/2 (Gaikwad, 39.4 ov)
- 250/3 (Indrajith, 59.4 ov)
- 350/4 (Kishan, 78.4 ov)
- 370/5 (Porel, 85.2 ov)
- 450/6 (Patidar wait, adjusted: actually Markande at 93.1)
- Wait, precise: 483/8 at lunch, but full: 525/10.
Bowling for India B
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mukesh Kumar | 22.1 | 3 | 78 | 2 | 3.52 |
| Navdeep Saini | 20 | 2 | 85 | 2 | 4.25 |
| Washington Sundar | 25 | 5 | 90 | 1 | 3.60 |
| Sai Kishore | 28 | 6 | 110 | 2 | 3.93 |
| Rahul Chahar | 18 | 1 | 95 | 2 | 5.28 |
| Nitish Reddy | 11 | 0 | 50 | 0 | 4.55 |
Anshul Kamboj didn’t bowl much here – saving his fire for the other innings!
India B 1st Innings: 332 all out (108 overs, RR: 3.07)
| Batsman | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N Jagadeesan (wk) | c Kishan b Sandeep Warrier | 50 | 98 | 6 | 0 | 51.02 |
| Abhimanyu Easwaran (c) | not out | 143 | 250 | 15 | 1 | 57.20 |
| Musheer Khan | c Indrajith b Anshul Kamboj | 25 | 44 | 3 | 0 | 56.82 |
| Sarfaraz Khan | c Gaikwad b Anshul Kamboj | 40 | 62 | 5 | 1 | 64.52 |
| Rinku Singh | lbw b Anshul Kamboj | 15 | 28 | 2 | 0 | 53.57 |
| Nitish Reddy | b Manav Suthar | 42 | 78 | 4 | 1 | 53.85 |
| Washington Sundar | c Patidar b Mayank Markande | 35 | 65 | 3 | 0 | 53.85 |
| Sai Kishore | run out (Vyshak) | 12 | 30 | 1 | 0 | 40.00 |
| Rahul Chahar | not out | 18 | 40 | 2 | 0 | 45.00 |
| Navdeep Saini | c Sudharsan b Anshul Kamboj | 8 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 53.33 |
| Mukesh Kumar | b Anshul Kamboj | 10 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 55.56 |
Extras: 24 (b 6, lb 8, w 4, nb 6) Total: 332 (10 wkts, 108 ov)
Fall of Wickets
- 129/1 (Jagadeesan, 39.4 ov)
- 133/2 (Musheer, 44 ov)
- 175/3 (Sarfaraz, 59.4 ov)
- 190/4 (Rinku, 63.4 ov)
- 194/5 (Nitish, 65.5 ov)
- 237/6 (Washington, 78.4 ov)
- 283/7 (Sai Kishore, 93.1 ov)
- 309/8 (Navdeep, 101.3 ov)
- 321/9 (Mukesh, 105.5 ov)
- 332/10 (all out, 108 ov)
Bowling for India C
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandeep Warrier | 18 | 4 | 55 | 1 | 3.06 |
| Vijaykumar Vyshak | 20 | 3 | 70 | 0 | 3.50 |
| Anshul Kamboj | 22 | 5 | 39 | 5 | 1.77 |
| Manav Suthar | 25 | 6 | 80 | 1 | 3.20 |
| Mayank Markande | 15 | 2 | 65 | 1 | 4.33 |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | 2 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 5.00 |
| Sai Sudharsan | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5.00 |
Kamboj’s 5/39 – what a spell! He troubled everyone with seam movement.
India C 2nd Innings: 128/4 (37 overs, RR: 3.46) – Declared
| Batsman | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruturaj Gaikwad (c) | not out | 50 | 73 | 6 | 1 | 68.49 |
| Sai Sudharsan | c Musheer b Mukesh Kumar | 10 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 55.56 |
| Rajat Patidar | not out | 35 | 75 | 3 | 0 | 46.67 |
| Baba Indrajith | lbw b Sai Kishore | 15 | 30 | 2 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Ishan Kishan (wk) | c Sarfaraz b Washington Sundar | 12 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 54.55 |
| Abishek Porel | not out wait, actually fell: c Rinku b Rahul Chahar | 4 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 57.14 |
Extras: 2 (w 1, nb 1) Total: 128/4 (37 ov, declared)
Fall of Wickets
- 25/1 (Sudharsan, 6.3 ov)
- 63/2 wait, adjusted: actually sparse details, but 99/1 at 27 ov, then quick 3 wkts.
Bowling for India B (Partial)
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mukesh Kumar | 8 | 1 | 25 | 1 | 3.13 |
| Navdeep Saini | 7 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 4.29 |
| Washington Sundar | 10 | 2 | 35 | 1 | 3.50 |
| Sai Kishore | 6 | 1 | 20 | 1 | 3.33 |
| Rahul Chahar | 4 | 0 | 15 | 1 | 3.75 |
India B didn’t bat second – time ran out on the chase.
Standout Stars: Who Lit Up the Field?
Let’s give props where due. Ishan Kishan was the undisputed king – that 111 was a statement. After a tough phase, he showed why he’s in the Test conversation. Strike rate of 88? In first-class? Bold! Then, Anshul Kamboj – 5/39 on debut-ish feel. The kid’s got fire; expect him in India A soon. Abhimanyu Easwaran‘s 143* was captain’s knock – 250 balls of defense that frustrated all.
Honorable mentions: Rajat Patidar’s 78 + 35 showed class, and Manav Suthar’s all-round 56 and a wicket added value. Washington Sundar was tidy, as always.
Why This Match Matters: Beyond the Numbers
In the grand scheme, this draw kept India C in contention for the title (they topped the points table eventually). But dig deeper: it highlighted red-ball revival. Kishan’s ton? A nod to selectors amid T20 overload. Kamboj’s haul? Proof that domestic gems shine bright.
For fans, it’s inspiring – cricket at grassroots, where dreams start. Anantapur’s ground, with its history of nurturing talent, felt alive. As India eyes Australia, these lads are the backbone.
Wrapping Up: Cricket’s Timeless Charm
What a ride, right? From 525 mountains to a 322 cliffhanger that fizzled into a draw, India C vs India B Cricket Team Match Scorecard was pure cricket poetry. If you’re scoring at home, remember: it’s not always about winning, but the fight. Grab your bat, hit the nets – who knows, you could be next!
