Duleep Trophy 2016, Match 2, Day 3 Review: Dinesh Karthik and Sheldon Jackson rebuild innings

Rains yet again took the centre stage and forced a premature end to the 3rd day which began only after a four-hour delay due to unfit playing conditions. Sheldon Jackson and Dinesh Karthik impressed with the bat as India Blue finished 285/5 in the short 16.2 overs of play which was possible today.

After Kuldeep Yadav ate into India Blue’s gains with a four-wicket burst late in the night on day two, Jackson and Karthik made sure that the Blues didn’t lose any further wickets. Both stayed unbeaten 35 and 48 respectively.

Rains have rendered the match ineffective right from the start of the match. Only 34.2 overs of play were possible on day one after India Red won the toss and chose to bowl first. Openers Mayank Agarwal and Gautam Gambhir had hit fluent half-centuries to take India Blue to a comfortable 105 run at stumps.

The second day was also rain-hit. But, Kuldeep Yadav made most out of the last session snapping four quick wickets late in the night to shift the momentum back into his team’s favour.

The scenes today morning were no different as umpired declared the conditions unsuitable for play. While the playing was said to be quite suitable but there were puddles of water near the boundary ropes.

The wait continued and continued for four hours and the game scheduled to start at 1.30 pm could only begin at 5.30 pm. Jackson and Karthik  resumed play and added runs patiently. Indian Red spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Akshay Wakhre were the main bowlers used by skipper Yuvraj Singh during the short span of play. But, unfortunately, both could not have any impact.

Soon, rains began to pour once again and forced an early dinner. The outfield was damaged again and the play had to be called off. Tomorrow’s play is under the shadow of a doubt, with more rains been predicted to fall. The match at the moment is heading directionless and will most likely end as a draw.

Tomorrow’s play is also under the shadow of doubt with more rains been predicted to fall. The match at the moment is heading directionless and will most likely end as a draw.

India Red picked up an emphatic 219-run win over India Green in the opening encounter of the Duleep Trophy while India Red is playing its first game.