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Devdutt Padikkal, the young and promising left-handed batter, fell to a sensational delivery from Shams Mulani during the Duleep Trophy 2024 match between India A and India D at the Rural Development Trust Stadium in Anantapur on Sunday (September 15). Padikkal, who had been in stellar form, was dismissed for just a single run by Mulani. The key moment came in the 32nd over of India D’s second innings, as Padikkal joined Ricky Bhui after the departure of Yash Dubey.
Shams Mulani’s masterful delivery removes Devdutt Padikkal
Initially, Mulani maintained a tight line and length, creating a situation where scoring opportunities were minimal. His approach was strategic – keeping his deliveries well-placed to test the batter’s technique and patience. On the last ball of his over to Padikkal, Mulani, operating from around the wicket, delivered a full-length ball outside the off-stump. The key to this delivery was its subtle variation and the sharp spin off the pitch.
Mulani’s strategy was to lure Padikkal into playing an expansive drive, capitalizing on the batter’s eagerness to score. Padikkal, anticipating a straight ball, went for a drive through the covers. However, the delivery, which was expertly pitched wider and with considerable turn, deviated sharply from the line of the bat. The sharp spin caused Padikkal to misjudge the trajectory, and the ball sneaked through the gap between his bat and pad. This gap, a critical opening, allowed the ball to strike the stumps directly, dislodging the bails and sending Padikkal back to the pavilion.
Here’s the video:
Flight. Turn. Timber 🔥
Shams Mulani bowls a lovely delivery to dismiss the in-form Devdutt Padikkal 👌#DuleepTrophy | @IDFCFIRSTBank
Follow the match ▶️: https://t.co/m9YW0Hu10f pic.twitter.com/hlx3MmDIKz
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) September 15, 2024
Also READ: Fans go wild as Anshul Kamboj destroys India B with 8-wicket haul in the Duleep Trophy 2024
Significant wickets including of Shreyas Iyer
Padikkal’s dismissal was a significant setback, especially considering his recent form. Shreyas Iyer, who came in next, also fell short, getting bowled by Mulani in the 47th over. Iyer managed 41 runs from 55 balls before succumbing to a slight lapse in judgment. Following Iyer’s dismissal, Sanju Samson joined opener Bhui to steady the innings and played some breathtaking shots in his unbeaten short stay so far at the crease that included two maximums. As lunch, India D were 190/4 in 49.1 overs, with Bhui unbeaten on 85* and Samson on 17*.
India A sets a formidable target
Earlier, India A in their second innings, driven by centuries from Pratham Singh and Tilak Varma, set a daunting target of 488 runs for India D. Their dominance began with a first-innings lead of 107 runs and continued into the second essay. A solid opening stand of 115 runs between Mayank Agarwal and Pratham laid the groundwork. Agarwal contributed 56 runs before being dismissed by Iyer. Pratham’s innings of 122 off 189 balls and Varma’s unbeaten 111 off 193 balls, along with Shashwat Rawat’s not out 64 off 88 balls, enabled India A to declare their second innings at 380/3 after 98 overs.
