Duleep Trophy 2017-18: Karn Sharma, Krishnappa Gowtham’s spin allows India Red to retain lead vs India Green at stumps on Day 2

India Red made a sensational comeback to retain their lead over India Green on Day Two of the Duleep Trophy 2017-18 at Lucknow.

India Red made a sensational comeback into the game as they comfortably retained their lead over India Green on Day Two of the Duleep Trophy 2017-18 at the Ekana International Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Friday. It was India Red’s spinner Karn Sharma, along with Krishnappa Gowtham, who claimed four and five wickets respectively, to push India Green onto the backfoot, out of nowhere. In what seemed at a point that Green would comfortably go past India Red’s first innings total, the middle and low-order completely failed to perform, resulting in a massive batting collapse. Prashant Chopra was the highest scorer for India Green, scoring 65 runs. Live Cricket Updates, Duleep Trophy 2017-18, IND Red vs IND Green, Day 2 at Lucknow

Earlier on Day Two, India Red were dismissed at a fair total of 323, as Priyank Panchal was the highest scorer of the innings with 105 runs, while Murali Vijay of India Green claimed three wickets. As India Green began their first innings, they lost a couple of wickets at the dinner break. As they resumed their innings in the post-dinner session, Prashant eventually scored his half-century. As the score read 123, it was Karun Nair, who fell for 37 to Gowtham. Just 14 runs later, it was Prashant, who fell after scoring a healthy 65 to Gowtham. Following his dismissal, there were hardly any partnerships as the team collapsed like a pile of cards.

In just 20 runs, the team lost its remaining six wickets as all the six batsmen were dismissed for a single figure. Gowtham claimed five for 46, while Karn claimed four for 39, as India Red led by 166 in their second innings. As they began their innings, they were off to a shaky start as well, as they lost opener Sudip Chatterjee for mere seven to Vijay’s off-spin. However, it was fellow opener Priyank Panchal, along with night-watchman Rahul Singh, who managed to take India Red to 19 for the loss of a wicket at stumps, as India Red lead by 185 runs, setting up an interesting Day Three ahead.

Brief scores

India Red 323 (Sudip Chatterjee 52, Priyank Panchal 105; Murali Vijay 3 for 46) and 19 for 1 (Priyank Panchal 11*; Murali Vijay 1 for 8) lead India Green 157 (Prashant Chopra 65; Krishnappa Gowtham 5 for 46, Karn Sharma 4 for 39) by 185 runs.

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