By Raqib 
The Duleep Trophy is one of India’s most prestigious domestic cricket tournaments, and every match brings intense competition. On September 7, 2024, during the match between India A and India B at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, the crowd witnessed a brilliant piece of wicketkeeping by Rishabh Pant, one of India’s top cricketers. Pant’s lightning-quick reflexes sent Riyan Parag back to the pavilion after he scored 30 runs. This dismissal came in the early stages of Day 3, setting the tone for what was to be an action-packed day of cricket.
The India A vs. India B match saw several key moments, but Pant’s catch down the leg side stood out as a pivotal moment. With India A losing two quick wickets, they were left in a challenging position, and this catch demonstrated why Pant is considered one of the best wicketkeepers in the country. Let’s delve into the details of this exciting game and how the dismissal unfolded.
Riyan Parag Dismissed for 30: Yash Dayal’s Breakthrough
Riyan Parag, an emerging talent in Indian cricket, couldn’t add much to his overnight score on Day 3 of the Duleep Trophy 2024. He had looked solid on Day 2 but was dismissed early on Saturday, September 7. Left-arm seamer Yash Dayal bowled a well-angled short-of-length delivery down the leg side. Parag attempted to steer it but only managed to get a thick edge on the ball. Rishabh Pant, with his quick footwork, dived to his left and took an easy catch, sending Parag back to the pavilion for 30 runs. This wicket came on the last ball of the 39th over, putting India A at 145/3.
Despite the dismissal, Parag’s brief innings was impressive. He scored 30 runs from 64 balls, including four boundaries. His partnership with KL Rahul on Day 2 had given India A a stable foundation, but his early exit on Day 3 shifted the momentum.
Another simple catch by Rishabh Pant to dismiss Riyan Parag 🧤 pic.twitter.com/MybhyIQZhh
— PantMP4. (@indianspirit070) September 7, 2024
India A’s Struggles on Day 3
India A started Day 3 at 134/2, with KL Rahul (23*) and Riyan Parag (27*) at the crease. The previous day’s steady start from openers Shubman Gill (25) and Mayank Agarwal gave India A hope, but both were dismissed in quick succession by Navdeep Saini, leaving the middle order to stabilize the innings.
As Day 3 unfolded, India A’s batting struggled. Riyan Parag was dismissed early by Yash Dayal, followed by Dhruv Jurel, who could only manage 2 runs from 16 balls before being dismissed by Navdeep Saini. Saini’s accurate bowling earned him his third wicket of the match, putting India A in a tight spot at 161/4 after 45 overs. At that point, KL Rahul remained not out on 35*, with Shivam Dube (4*) providing support.
Musheer Khan’s Heroic 181 and Saini’s Contribution
In an earlier crucial phase of the match, Musheer Khan produced a spectacular performance for India B. Khan played a marathon knock, scoring a superb 181 runs off 373 balls. His innings featured 16 boundaries and five sixes, showcasing both patience and power. This knock played a pivotal role in giving India B a solid foundation.
One of the standout moments of the match was the partnership between Musheer Khan and Navdeep Saini. The pair added a massive 205 runs off 403 balls for the eighth wicket, with Saini contributing a solid 56 runs. Their partnership helped India B post a competitive total and put India A under pressure.
Akash Deep Shines with the Ball
India A’s bowling attack was led by Akash Deep, who had a remarkable performance, taking four wickets. His disciplined bowling helped India A restrict India B’s batting lineup and prevent them from posting a bigger total. Deep’s ability to generate pace and movement troubled the opposition, making him one of the standout bowlers in this thrilling Duleep Trophy encounter.
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Key Highlights of the Match
- Riyan Parag’s Dismissal: Parag scored 30 runs from 64 balls before being caught by Rishabh Pant off Yash Dayal’s bowling.
- Rishabh Pant’s Catch: Pant’s sharp reflexes and quick movement ensured Parag’s dismissal with a clean catch down the leg side.
- India A’s Position: India A was at 161/4 after 45 overs, with KL Rahul (35*) and Shivam Dube (4*) at the crease.
- Musheer Khan’s 181: A brilliant knock by Musheer Khan, who scored 181 off 373 balls, helped India B post a competitive total.
- Navdeep Saini’s Contributions: Saini played a crucial role with both bat and ball, scoring 56 runs and taking three important wickets.