Duleep Trophy: Kamboj’s 8-wicket haul helps India C climb to top

Pacer Anshul Kamboj ended up with an eight-wicket haul as India C took the lead in the Duleep Trophy standings on the basis of the first innings lead against India B.

Resuming Day 4 at 309/7, India B were dismissed for 332 in 108 overs with Kamboj cleaning up the tail to add to his overnight five wickets. India B skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran remained unbeaten on 157 off 286 balls. India C, who amassed 525 in the first innings, reached 128/4 in their second innings.

India C got three points for the first innings lead, pushing them to the top with nine points in two games while India B got a solitary point.

Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad (62) stuck his second fifty of the match while Rajat Patidar was dismissed in the 40s for the second consecutive time in the game.

It was only the third time in Duleep Trophy history that a pacer had taken eight wickets or more in an innings. Kamboj was deservingly named the Player of the Match. It was the first ever five-wicket haul for the Haryana cricketer in 15th First-Class games.

Easy win for India A

Ricky Bhui delayed the inevitable with a stubborn hundred but spinners Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian eventually brought India D to their knees as India A walked away with a 186-run win. Bhui, starting from overnight 44, made 113 but India D were bowled out for 301, chasing 488.

The victory enabled India A to stay in contention for the title with 6 points. They will face table-toppers India C next. India D, out of title race after two successive defeats, will be up against second-placed India B, who have 7 points.

Brief scores: India C: 525 & 128/4 (Gaikwad 62; Chahar 2/8) vs India B: 332 (Easwaran 157*, Jagadeesan 70; Kamboj 8/69); India A: 290 & 380/3 decl vs India D: 183 & 301 (Bhui 113, Iyer 41, Samson 40; Kotian 4/73, Mulani 3/117).