Published: Aug 29, 2016, 07:44 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 29, 2016, 07:44 PM (IST)
Rain stopped play abruptly on Day One of the second match of Duleep Trophy 2016-17 between India Red and India Blue after India Blue got off to a good start. Winning the toss, Yuvraj Singh led side elected to bowl but his bowlers could not get a single breakthrough til the day’s play was stopped due to rain. Gautam Gambhir, playing his maiden day-night Test in First-Class cricket, lived dangerously in the initial periods as he looked rusty but survived due to some erratic fielding by the Reds. Gambhir along with Mayank Agarwal played 34.2 overs and added 105 runs for the first wicket till rain ended day’s play. Duleep Trophy Live updates: India’s first Pink ball tournament, IND Blue vs IND Red
Nathu Singh and Pradeep Sangwan started the proceedings for their side and the former bowled in good areas but sadly was not supported by his partner as he dropped a catch of Gambhir’s willow. The Reds fielding looked ordinary as they conceded over throws and missed half chances. Agarwal looked composed whereas Gambhir grew in confidence as the day progressed and the Reds will hope to turn things around on second day of the match.
Gambhir showed his excitement towards day-night Test and stated before the match, “It (pink ball cricket) is very exciting, especially when lights are on. I am looking forward to it. I know the pink ball does move a bit, but as an opener I have to deal with it. That challenge is always there, even against the red SG or Kookaburra balls. However, as professional cricketers, we must be ready. And the spinners have to get used to gripping the pink ball.” . READ: Duleep Trophy 2016-17: Greater Noida’s shot at history as pink ball cricket arrives
Yuvraj’s India Red will be looking to make it two wins out of two after winning their first encounter against Suresh Raina’s India Green by 219 runs. Robin Uthappa, Parthiv Patel and Yuvraj shared their experience of playing Tests under lights after the conclusion of the first match and it will be interesting to see how the India Blue team copes up with the pink ball and other conditions which will be new to them.
The Red team got six points for an outright win in first match and would look to reach the final of the tournament. Abhinav Mukund was awarded Man of the match for scores of 77 and 169.
