Mayank Agarwal's India A clinched the Duleep Trophy 2024 title after beating India C in the thrilling final-round on Sunday, September 22. The rising batter Shashwat Rawat and star pacer Prasidh Krishna shone to lead India A to the 132-run win over Ruturaj Gaikwad's team in Anantapur.
Chasing a 350-run target in on Day 4, India C needed a win or a draw to clinch the title but India A bowlers produced an impressive display to bowl out their opponents to 217 runs with just 4.2 overs remaining to stumps.
Sai Sudharsan scored a brilliant century and Gaikwad scored a crucial 44 runs to take the game to the wire but Prasidh Krishna made a late impact with two big wickets of Sudharsan and Baba Indrajith to lead India A to glory. Shashwat Rawat made the biggest impact with a century in the first innings and a quick fifty in the second innings to wrap up a successful campaign for India A.
Starting Day 4 from 270 for 6, India A captain Mayank Agarwal took a brave decision to declare their innings on 286 for 8 to go for a win. Gaurav Yadav picked four wickets and in-form Anshul Kamboj and Manav Suthar bagged two each for the India C in the second innings.
With not enough time to chase a big target of 350, India C went for a draw as they needed to avoid a loss to clinch the title. Gaikwad and Sai Sudharsan added 77 runs for the second wicket to set the game for a draw but the 20-year-old pacer Aaqib Khan turned the tides with big wickets of Ruturaj and Rajat Patidar in quick succession and then India C witnessed an embarrassing collapse.
Sudharsan scored 111 runs off just 206 balls to end his poor run of form in red-ball cricket and almost guided India C to glory. But Prasidh Krishna made a late impact with three wickets to deliver a sensational comeback win for India A.
Shashwat Rawat claimed the Payer of the Match award for scoring 177 runs across two innings in the final round while young pacer Anshul Kamboj of India C was awarded with the Player of the Tournament.
