Kanpur: India Red secured their place in the final of the Duleep Trophy after the second match of the tournament against India Blue ended in a tame draw at the Green Park Stadium here on Saturday.
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\r\nWith the draw, the Dinesh Karthik-led India Red have now seven points in their kitty from two matches while India Blue have three points with one match remaining against India Green at the same venue.
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\r\nAfter the third day's play was called off due to a wet outfield, with only 4.4 overs bowled on Friday, India Blue started the final day with both the overnight batsmen -- Hanuma Vihari and Deepak Hooda -- belting their respective centuries to propel the Suresh Raina-led side to 444 and more importantly take a crucial 61-run first innings lead.
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\r\nVihari departed after a patient 227-ball 105 in the first session of the final day but Hooda (133 from 174 balls; 4*14, 6*3) continued the hammering with pacer Jaydev Unadkat, who blasted a 53-ball 57, comprising nine hits over the fence.
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\r\nHooda and Unadkat formed a strong 96-run sixth wicket partnership before leg-spinner Karn Sharma broke the partnership, sending Unadkat back before the team score could reach 400.
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\r\nSoon after, Hooda was removed by Vijay Gohil, which was a big breakthrough for his side. Bhargav Bhatt added 33 crucial runs that took India Blue's lead further before Karn ran through the tail to end India Blue's innings. <\/p>\r\n\r\n