Hanuma Vihari (105) and Deepak Hooda (133) propelled India Blue to a first innings lead against India Red in the rain-truncated drawn game in Kanpur. While the opener anchored the innings with a determined 227-ball knock, the middle-order batsman took the team to a first innings lead as the match headed for a draw. India Blue were bowled out for 444 in their first innings with a 61-run lead in reply to India Red’s 383.
India Red were 133 for five in their second innings when the four-day match ended on Saturday.
Earlier, Vihari and Hooda resumed the India Blue innings at 232 for three on the last day of the match and had added 59 runs to the total when the former was bowled by Basil Thampi. The pacer ended the flourishing fourth wicket partnership for 132 runs leaving the side on 291 for four. Nine runs later, Ishan Kishan was sent back CV Milind. With the team on 300 for five, Jaydev Unadkat joined Hooda and the duo took the team to Tea at 304 for five.
Hooda reached his century as the pair built a solid stand to maintain the upper-hand. Scoring at a steady pace they helped India Blue surpass India Red’s first innings total. Their partnership was worth 98 when Unadkat was sent back by Karn Sharma for 57, leaving the side on 398 for six. Six runs later, Vijay Gohil followed up with the wicket of the middle-order batsman leaving the team on 404 for seven. The leg-spinner then claimed the reaming three wickets – Akshay Wakhare, Bhargav Bhatt and Ankit Rajpoot to warp-up the India Blue innings and finished with a five-for.
With the result a foregone conclusion, India Red batted for 35 overs until play was called off. Rishabh Pant made a sparkling 23-ball 46 in his second outing in the game.
Although India Red gained only one point having conceded the first innings lead against India Blue, they are at top the table with seven points. They claimed six points for the outright win in their first match of the tournament against India Green.
India Blue will take on India Green in the last match of the league phase.
Result – Match Drawn
India Blue gain three points from 1st innings lead while India Red get one point and take their points tally to seven.
End of Day 1 – India Red 1st inn 291/9 in 84 overs (B Indrajith 120*, V Gohil 22*, A Rajpoot 3/44)
End of Day 2 – India Red 1st inn 383/10 in 108.3 overs (B Indrajith 200, V Gohil 34*); India Blue 1st inn 216/3 in 61 overs (GH Vihari 86*, S Raina 52, D Hooda 23*, V Gohil 1/50) Trail by 167 runs.
End of Day 3 - India Blue 1st inn 232/3 in 65.4 overs (GH Vihari 88*, D Hooda 37*) Trail by 151 runs.
End of Day 4– India Blue 1st inn 444/10 in 114 overs (D Hooda 133, G Vihari 105, K Sharma 5/94); India Red 2nd inn 133/5 in 35 overs (R Pant 46)
