Rohit Sharma and Manish Pandey blast tons as India A hammer Sri Lankans in warm-up match

File Photo: Rohit Sharma starred for India A as Sri Lanka went down by 88 runs in the warm-up fixture

In the only warm-up game of the hastily arranged tour, India A completely outplayed Sri Lankans as they won comprehensively by 88 runs. After the home side posted 382/6 from their alloted 50 overs, the island nation struggled against the confident Indian side that was loaded with some great talents.

Opting to field first at the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai, Angelo Mathews had no clue whatsoever on how to stop the Indian batsmen as they raised 105/1 by the first drinks break. Manish Pandey joined Rohit Sharma in the middle after Unmukt Chand fell for 54(43).

The two right-handers completely took the game away from the opposition as they were involved in a 214-run 2nd wicket stand which came off just 166 balls. Rohit, who was making a comeback after a long injury layoff, made full use of this oppourtunity by smashing 142(111) with 18 fours and six. The innings makes a strong case for the Mumbai player to return to his opening slot with Team India after missing the England ODIs as well as the West Indies series with injury.

Skipper Manoj Tiwary’s quickfire 36 and Pandey’s late hitting helped India A set a mighty target of 383. As expected in the practice game, Mathews tried 10 bowlers in the 14-member a side game (11 batting, 11 fielding).

In reply, Sri Lanka lost Kusal Perera in the very first over to Dhawal Kulkarni. Spinners led by leggie Karn Sharma chipped in with regular wickets, not allowing the Lankan side to build any momentum towards the chase. Everyone in the middle order set themselves in, but none carried on to score big as opener Upul Tharanga (76) played a lone hand in vain.

Karn Sharma (4/47) time and again produced wickets in the middle overs. With support from Parvez Rasool (2/56) and Kuldeep Yadav, India kept the run flow under check. Even though the visitors lost their 9th wicket in the 44th over with the scoreboard reading 242, the last wicket pair remained unbeaten as India were happy to bowl their part-timers Kedar Jadhav and skipper Tiwary himself towards the close.

The 5-match ODI series begins on 2nd November.

Brief scores:

India A: 382 for 6 in 50 overs (Rohit Sharma 142, Manish Pandey 135*; Dhammika Prasad 3 for 57)

beat

Sri Lanka: 294 for 9 in 50 overs (Upul Tharanga 76, Mahela Jayawardene 33; Karn Sharma 4 for 47)

by 88 runs.