Day 2 of the Senior Women’s Multi-Day Challenger Trophy 2025 unfolded with gripping intensity as Team C, resuming from their overnight score, mounted a commanding response to Team B’s first-innings total of 210.
The morning belonged entirely to Team C, thanks to yet another composed and resilient innings from Tanusree Sarkar, who anchored the innings with a splendid 118 off 197 balls. Her innings was the bedrock around which Team C built their total.
The real momentum surged when Tanisha Singh joined her. The duo put together a match-turning partnership of 163 runs from 262 deliveries. Tanisha contributed a vital 63 off 119 balls in a knock that blended patience and perfect timing. After Tanusree’s departure, Jemimah Rodrigues carried forward the innings with panache. Her explosive 76 off just 86 balls, including six fours and four towering sixes, gave Team C the flourish they needed in the latter stages.
Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Team C posted a formidable 329 runs in 97.2 overs, giving themselves a 119-run first-innings lead. The bowlers from Team B toiled hard, with Nandani Sharma standing out with figures of 2 for 57 in her 14 overs. Kanika Ahuja also chipped in with 2 for 42 in 15 overs, while Harleen Deol (1/46), Akshara Srinivasan (1/49) and Prema (1/63) picked up one wicket apiece.
However, they were unable to break the backbone of the Team C batting—the Tanusree-Tanisha alliance—which ultimately proved to be the game’s turning point.
When Team B came out to bat in the second innings, they were trailing by 119 and under immense pressure. However, they responded with resolve and intent. Openers Pratika (65* off 89) and Yastika Bhatia (45 off 52) provided a solid start, weathering the new ball and scoring freely.
Together, they added 76 runs off 96 balls for the opening wicket before Bhatia was stumped off Shafali Verma’s bowling. The fall of the wicket brought Ayushi Soni (32* off 57) to the crease, and she immediately looked settled, partnering seamlessly with Pratika to stitch an unbeaten 66-run stand, off 102 deliveries.
By the close of play, Team B reached 142 for 1 in 33 overs, erasing the deficit and edging ahead with a 23-run lead. Team C’s bowlers found it tough to make inroads, with only Shafali Verma among the wicket-takers, finishing with figures of 1 for 20 from her 10 overs.
As the sun set on Day 2, the match had swung back into a delicate balance. Team B’s spirited fightback ensured they weren’t written off and now go into Day 3 with momentum on their side. Day 3 promises to be a cracker, with everything to play for in this fiercely contested encounter.
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