India D captain Shreyas Iyer proved to be the game-changer for his side in the ongoing Duleep Trophy 2024 match against India A as the encounter is underway at Rural Development Trust Stadium in Anantapur. As his team continued to have a tough day, Iyer provided hope with his ball. Day 2 did not turn out to be easy for India D with both bat and ball.
They were bowled out for 183 runs, trailing India A total of 290 runs. Things turned worse as India D had a dismal start to the second innings with openers Pratham Singh and Mayank Agarwal getting off to a solid start. Singh and Agarwal shared a strong partnership, managing over 100 runs for the first wicket with both batsmen scoring essential half-centuries.
Their solid batting display suggested they might prove to be difficult to get out. The momentum shift came courtesy of an intervention by Iyer as a strategist. The captain of India D, Shreyas Iyer introduced himself into the attack on this Indian soil and immediately stamped his authority.
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On the very first ball of the 29th over, Shreyas Iyer bowled one with high-arm action and liberal air. Mayank Agarwal, trying to drive straight, misjudged the delivery and played it poorly. Iyer quickly moved to his right and took an unbelievable catch just above the ground to dismiss Agarwal.
Golden Arm! 💪
Shreyas Iyer comes into the attack. Shreyas Iyer strikes first ball 👌
An excellent low catch off his own bowling, and he breaks the 115-run opening stand at the stroke of stumps. #DuleepTrophy | @IDFCFIRSTBank
Scorecard ▶️: https://t.co/m9YW0Hu10f pic.twitter.com/c1nXJsN8QM
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) September 13, 2024
Mayank Agarwal’s wicket, however, was a big breakthrough for India D. The right-handed batsman was dismissed for 56 runs off 87 balls with eight boundaries, and his dismissal came just before stumps. India A thus reached 115/1, leading by 222 runs. This was Iyer’s fifth first-class wicket, and his first since the 2018-19 season. Though he hasn’t been a regular bowler in domestic cricket, Iyer’s recent effort shows his seriousness to work on his bowling.
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Iyer’s contribution with the ball was particularly crucial after his disappointing performance with the bat in the first innings, where he was dismissed for a duck. As the match progresses, Iyer will be keen to build on his bowling success and play a key role in securing a victory for India D.
