Duleep Trophy: India Blue reach 105/0 vs India Red as rain stops play

Greater Noida, Aug 29 (IANS) India Blue were 105 for no loss when incessant rain forced an early close of play on the opening day of the second Duleep Trophy match against India Red at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground, here on Monday.

India Blue openers -- skipper Gautam Gambhir (51 not out) and Mayank Agarwal (53 not out) -- were at the crease after being sent in to bat, when rain forced the umpires to call off the match, just after the opening session of the day-night match.

After registering an emphatic 219-run victory over Indian Green in the opening match, which is being played with the pink ball, India Red skipper Yuvraj Singh made two changes to the playing XI by bringing in the Delhi duo of left-handed batsman Nitish Rana and seamer Pradeep Sangwan.

Both Gambhir and Agarwal were circumspect in the initial overs as Rajasthan's rookie pacer Nathu Singh, who took a six-wicket haul in the first match, almost packed off the southpaw in the fifth over when Gambhir mistimed a pull, only for Sangwan to misjudge a catch at deep fine leg.

Nathu created another chance of a wicket just at the stroke of the tea break when Agarwal top-edged one of a no ball.

Returning from the break, both Gambhir and Agarwal brought up their respective fifties and the team's hundred before rain started pouring in, forcing the umpires to call off the day's play.

Brief Scores: India Blue 105/0 (Gautam Gambhir 51 not out, Mayank Agarwal 53 not out) vs India Red.

--IANS

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