India D was bowled out for 164 after just two sessions of play in the Duleep Trophy first-round fixture against India C in Anantpur on Thursday.
The pitch provided ample support for bowlers with its spin, seam movement, and bounce, allowing India C to dominate early and reduce their opponents to 34/5 within 11 overs.
Axar Patel, batting at number seven, scored a valiant 86 in a knock that was characterized by two distinct phases, with no other batter managing more than 15 runs.
Initially, Axar played a cautious innings, scoring just 20 runs off his first 58 balls while watching his team collapse to 76/8 shortly after lunch.
With Arshdeep Singh, a genuine tailender, joining him at the crease, Axar decided to take control. He started his aggressive approach with two boundaries off Himanshu Chauhan in the 35th over, hit a fourth four in the 38th over, and then launched a powerful assault in the next over by Manav Suthar.
Axar hit a six down the wicket, followed by another boundary, saw a ball trickle for four byes, and celebrated his half-century with a commanding six off the left-arm spinner.
Not finished yet, Axar struck another four in the following over and smashed Hrithik Shokeen for back-to-back sixes in the 42nd over, despite fielders stationed on the boundary.
Axar Patel on 🔥
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) September 5, 2024
Smashes 6⃣4⃣6⃣ off Manav Suthar as he brings up his 50!#DuleepTrophy | @IDFCFIRSTBankhttps://t.co/u0KTJISm6b pic.twitter.com/g8lVbi52Vp
The 30-year-old’s innings, comprising six boundaries and six sixes, was finally curtailed by an exceptional catch by Manav Suthar near the ropes, limiting him to 86.