Manish Pandey scores a hundred as India-A beat South Africa-A

Skipper Manish Pandey struck a superb 100 not-out to guide India-A to a crucial win over South Africa-A in the Quadrangular A-Team One-Day Series in Australia. Chasing 230, India-A were in a spot of bother at 135/5 and in the 40^th over and were further reduced to 187/7. Faced with the prospect of being bowled out, the India-A skipper received timely support from Dhawal Kulkarni (23 from 26 balls). The duo then put on a match-winning 47 run partnership for the eight wicket to take India-A home with eight balls to spare.

Earlier, India-A won the toss and opted to bowl first. Dhawal Kulkarni, Jaydev Unadkat and Hardik Pandya struck in tandem to reduce South Africa-A to 88/4. Thereafter, David Miller and Qaasim Adams put on a 110 run partnership for the fifth wicket to bring their side back in the contest. But quick wickets pegged the South African charge thereafter and they could only manage 230. While Qaasim Adams scored 52 of 55 balls, David Miller fell to Dhawal Kulkarni for a well made 90 from 104 deliveries with five boundaries and 2 sixes.

Dhawal Kulkarni was the pick of the bowlers for India-A with figures of 4/37 from his quota of 10 overs. Jaydev Unadkat and Hardik Pandya chipped in with two wickets apiece. Meanwhile, off-spinner Jayant Yadav and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal produced economical spells to support the seamers.

India-A’s run chase began steadily as Faiz Fazal and Karun Nair put on 41 by the 9^th over. Andile Phehlukwayo, then struck a double-blow to send back both the openers in the space of four deliveries. India-A’s middle-order failed to get going again. After Kedar Jadhav and Sanju Samson fell in the space of two overs, Manish Pandey was quickly running out of partners.

But the India-A skipper found an unlikely ally in fast-bowler Dhawal Kulkarni. The Mumbaikar struck 2 boundaries and a six while giving commendable support to his skipper. Manish Pandey meanwhile, was in great nick. With 9 boundaries and six, he brought up his hundred off 105 deliveries to take his side home for a well deserved win.

What next for India-A

After suffering a humiliating 8 wicket loss to Australia-A in their tournament opener, this win takes India-A to number three in the points table. Australia’s National Performance Squad sit pretty atop the table with two wins on the trot. Australia-A are in the second spot at the moment and South Africa-A bring up the rear having lost both its games so far.

India-A next plays the National Performance Squad on August 21 while South Africa-A take on Australia-A on August 20. All teams will play a total of six matches each leading up to the final on September 4.