Abhinav, Sudeep pass ‘Pink Test’ with flying colours

By Kushan Sarkar Greater Noida, Aug 24 (PTI) It was purely a ‘Batsman’sEvening’ with Tamil Nadu opener Abhinav Mukund and talentedBengal boy Sudeep Chatterjee’s twin tons took India Red to acommanding 354-run lead against India Green on the second dayof the Duleep Trophy here today. After the bowlers ruled the roost with 17 wickets on thefirst day, it was the turn of southpaws Abhinav (162 batting,212 balls) and Sudeep (114, 182 balls) to conjure up a 240-runpartnership for the second wicket. The Reds reached 344/3 at stumps after bowling out theGreen team for 151 in their first innings with young Rajasthanpacer Nathu Singh picking up 6/53 in 12.4 overs of brisk fastmedium bowling. However, the second day’s play was all about thedomination of Abhinav and Sudeep on a pitch that got slowerconsiderably and the much talked about pink ball hardly madeany difference even under the lights. The movement off thepitch was minimal which made it easy for batsmen to negotiate. Mukund, who scored 77 in the first innings, looked morecomfortable of the two at the outset as he played the trio ofAshoke Dinda, Ankit Rajpoot and Sandeep Sharma late from thecrease relying on shots square of the wicket and theoccasional upper cuts. Sudeep was cautious initially before he opened playing anumber pull shots. However, the moment spinners Jalaj Saxena (1/69) andPragyan Ojha (0/45) were introduced, both the left handersused their feet to good effect as they came to the pitch ofthe ball with ease. There were times the slowness also contributed as bothhad enough time to rock onto backfoot and hit on the on-side.Sudeep’s familiarity having played Ojha and Dinda in Bengalnets also helped him. Mukund hit 19 boundaries and completed his 22nd ton witha firm push through mid on for two runs off Rajpoot’s bowling.He did get a couple of reprieves on 62 and 92 with rivalcaptain Suresh Raina dropping him on both occasions. Sudeep, who reached a personal milestone of 2000first-class runs, reached his sixth hundred in the longerformat with a couple backfoot punches through midwicket. Hehit 14 fours. Sudeep was finally gone when he was trapped leg before byShreyas Gopal. Yuvraj Singh hit a six and a four before being caught andbowled by Saxena. Earlier, Nathu bowled a couple of perfect blockholedeliveries to complete a coveted five-for before wrapping upthe innings with Saurabh Tiwary’s (50) wicket. Brief Scores: India Red 161 and 344/3 in 78 overs(Abhinav Mukund 162 batting, Sudeep Chatterjee 114) India Green 151 in 45.4 overs (Saurabh Tiwary 50, NathuSingh 6/53). PTI KHS PDSPDS