Musheer Khan, Navdeep Saini script history, break historic Duleep Trophy record to climb to top

Musheer Khan and Navdeep Saini scripted history on Day 2 of the Duleep Trophy 2024 as they broke the record for the highest partnership for the eighth wicket or lower in the history of the tournament. The match is being played between India A and India B at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.

While playing for India B, Musheer and Saini came together when their team was in huge trouble at 94-7. However, both had other ideas as they stitched together a memorable stand for the eighth wicket to create a record.

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Musheer Khan and Navdeep Saini break the record for the highest eighth-wicket stand

Since India B were in big trouble, Musheer Khan and Navdeep Saini started their partnership steadily. Musheer kept the strike at the start in an attempt to prevent the wickets from falling down from the other end.

Young Musheer Khan played a perfect innings as he mixed caution with aggression. He used the field well to his effect and punished the bad balls as well. The right-hander showed why he is rated so highly despite being so young.

Even Saini kept gaining confidence as he spent some time at the crease. Soon, he opened his shoulders and started showing aggression. Both Musheer and Navdeep Saini were particularly aggressive against spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Tanush Kotian. While Musheer used his good technique, Saini used his big reach and power to hit boundaries.

Musheer Khan and Navdeep Saini stitched a record partnership of 205 runs, which is the highest in Duleep Trophy history for the eighth wicket or lower. The record was earlier held by Abhishek Nayar and Ramesh Powar who shared a partnership of 197 runs for West Zone against North Zone at Rajkot.

The partnership between Musheer Khan and Navdeep Saini was finally broken by left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav early in the post-lunch session on Day 2. Musheer smashed a breathtaking 181 off 373 balls, which included 16 fours and five massive sixes.

Navdeep Saini reaches his highest first-class score

Meanwhile, Navdeep Saini went on to score a brilliant fifty. Saini scored 56 runs off 144 balls and hit 8 fours and 1 six during his knock. It was his highest first-score as well. Saini was the last wicket to fall in India B's innings and was dismissed by fast bowler Akash Deep. Akash finished with 4-60 and was the pick of India A bowlers.

India B went on to score 321 in their first innings. In reply, India A were 134-2 at stumps on Day 2. Riyan Parag and KL Rahul were unbeaten on 27 and 23 respectively and looked well set at the crease.

Meanwhile, earlier on Day 1, it was all about India A as they picked up the big wickets of India B cheaply. Fast bowlers Khaleel Ahmed, Akash Deep, and Avesh Khan were brilliant during the first part of Day 1 as India's regular internationals like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, and Sarfaraz Khan failed to get a big score.