Easwaran stands firm for India B even as Anshul Kamboj's five-for wreaks havoc

India B opener Abhimanyu Easwaran continued to bat confidently as he scored a defiant century to guide his team to 309 for 7 against India C, which still looked in control to enforce a follow-on in ir Duleep Trophy match here on Saturday.

Despite Easwaran's unbeaten 143, India B trail India C by 216 runs and require 66 more runs to avoid a follow-on with just three wickets in hand.

India C h scored a mammoth 525 in ir first innings with Ishan Kishan scoring a century.

Day 3 of tie belonged to India B skipper, who scored a patient 262-ball 143 amid a procession of wickets with India C pacer Anshul Kamboj's five-wicket haul (5/66 in 23.5 overs) bringing Easwaran's team on its knees.

Undaunted by fall of wickets at or end, Bengal batter Easwaran kept frustrating India C bowlers, though he still has work to do on Sunday to avoid a follow-on.

Commencing day at 124 for loss with Easwaran (overnight 51 t out) and Narayan Jageesan (overnight 67 t out) holding fort, India B were rattled quite early when Kamboj struck in only fourth over of morning session.

23-year-old Haryana pacer, who h played a few matches for Mumbai Indians in IPL last season, got rid of dangerous Jageesan who ded just three runs to his personal score, getting Tamil Nu batter caught by wicket-keeper Abhishek Porel for 70, thus breaking 129-run partnership.

Kamboj n h brors Musheer and Sarfaraz Khan cheaply for 1 and 16 runs respectively before accounting for hard-hitter Rinku Singh (6) and Nithis Kumar Reddy (2) to completely destabilise India B.

At 194 for 5, things looked bleak for Easwaran's side, but skipper took it upon himself to shore up his side amid some hostile bowling by Kamboj. He stitched toger a 43-run partnership with Washington Sundar (13) and n a 46-run stand with Sai Kishore (21) to repair dam.

At stumps, Rahul Chahar (18 t out) was giving Easwaran company but with just three wickets left, it could be a difficult task for India B to avoid a follow-on.

India C skipper Ruturaj Gaikw could even decide against enforcing a follow-on, given tomorrow is last day of contest and y are assured of three vital points on basis of first innings le.

However, if Gaikw enforces follow-on and wins match, his team will earn six points.

Brief Score: India C: 525 all in 124.1 overs vs India B: 309 for 7 in 101 overs (Abhimanyu Easwaran batting 143, Narayan Jageesan 70; Anshul Kamboj 5/66).