WATCH: Vidwath Kaverappa's peach sends Mayank Agarwal packing

India D pacer Vidwath Kaverappa delivered a brilliant delivery on Day 1 of the 2024 Duleep Trophy match against India A to dismiss opponent captain Mayank Agarwal for a mere seven runs, putting India A on the backfoot early in the day at the Rural Development Trust Stadium in Anantapur on Thursday, September 12.

In just the sixth over of the innings, Kaverappa pitched the ball on a good length, angled towards the off-stump, enticing Agarwal into a shot. The movement off the pitch proved too much for the batter, who could only manage an outside edge before wicketkeeper Sanju Samson completed an easy catch, sending Agarwal back to the pavilion after a brief 14-ball stay.

But Kaverappa wasn't done yet. He followed up with another wicket dismissing Pratham Singh, for seven off 33. The middle-order tried to stabilise the innings, with Riyan Parag showing some resistance. His counterattacking 37 off 29, including five boundaries and a six, provided brief relief before Arshdeep Singh claimed his wicket. Tilak Varma struggled to get going, managing only 10 off 33 before falling to spinner Saransh Jain.

Also Read: Duleep Trophy 2024: India C skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad retires hurt after reportedly twisting ankle

India A 115/5 at Lunch

Meanwhile, the Men's Selection Committee announced alterations for the second round, with key players like Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Akash Deep named in the squad for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh.

The changes led to a reshuffle in the India A squad, with Agarwal stepping in as captain. The playing XI saw the inclusion of fresh faces like Pratham Singh, Tilak Varma, Shashwat Rawat, Kumar Kushagra, Shams Mulani, Prasidh Krishna, and Aaqib Khan. 

Meanwhile, speaking of the game, India D captain Shreyas Iyer elected to bowl first as India A's score at lunch stood at 115/5, with Kumar Kushagra and Shams Mulani at the crease. For India D, along with Kaverappa, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh and Saransh Jain have picked one wicket, apiece.