WATCH: Akash Deep’s pearler breaches Nitish Reddy’s defence

Youngster Nitish Reddy failed to open his tally and was out for golden duck in the opening game of the ongoing Duleep Trophy 2024. Pacer Akash Deep got the better of him with a peach of a delivery as Reddy failed to decipher and line and length. Akash picked up back-to-back wickets of Rishabh Pant and Nitish, as India B were five down soon after the lunch.

Notably, Akash made his India debut earlier in the year in Ranchi against England when Jasprit Bumrah took a break to manage his workload. The 27-year-old got picked up a three-fer on his debut.and his efforts had also impressed Indian captain Rohit Sharma.

He is currently in India's red-ball scheme even though the likes of Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj have sealed their spot. Notably, the team management is keeping a close eye on pacers like Akash, Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan and Prasidh Krishna as backups for the first-choice stars. Akash with his brilliant spell against India B have definitely boosted his chances.

The pacer also contributed with his presence of mind to have Washington Sundar run out at the non-striker's end. Musheer Khan played a straight drive and Akash managed to put his boot on the ball before it hit the stumps with Washington was found well outside his crease.

Meanwhile, India B are in a tight spot after Lunch. Their openers Abhimanyu Easwaran and Yashasvi Jaiswal failed to deliver and later, the middle order collapsed. Jaiswal showed glimpses of his class but got out after scoring 30 runs while Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant scored nine and seven runs respectively. Reddy and Sundar failed to open their tally.