Gill leads India C to Deodhar Trophy final

Ranchi, November 1

Openers Shubman Gill and Mayank Agarwal smashed spectacular hundreds before Jalaj Saxena took a career-best seven-wicket haul, steering India C into the final of the Deodhar Trophy with a massive 232-run win over India A.

India C skipper Gill (143 off 142 balls) and Test opener Agarwal (120 off 111) shared a 226-run stand before a special knock from Suryakumar Yadav (72* off 29) propelled the team to 366/3 in 50 overs.

India A were never in the chase as off-spinner Saxena (7/41) ran through their batting line-up with a memorable spell. It was India A’s second successive defeat in as many days, knocking them out of the tournament. Gill hammered as many as six sixes besides 10 fours on way to his highest score in List A cricket. Agarwal carried his stellar form from Test cricket into the 50-overs format, collecting 15 fours and one six.

India C and India B, who beat India A on Thursday, will play the final here on Monday. Before the title clash, they meet each other in the final league game tomorrow. — PTI

Brief Scores: India C: 366/3 (Gill 143, Agarwal 120, Yadav 72*); India A: 134 (Padikkal 31, Merai 30; Saxena 7/41, Porel 2/12)