Kedar Jadhav rescued India ‘A’ after a top-order collapse and guided it to a three-wicket win over Australia’s National Performance Squad (NPS) in the quadrangular series here on Tuesday.
Set a target of 235, India ‘A’ scored 238 for seven in 39.5 overs after being reduced to 63 for five. Jadhav smashed 87 off just 53 balls and added 112 for the sixth wicket with Sanju Samson (55 not out) to take India ‘A’ home. Jadhav hit 11 boundaries and four sixes off leg-spinner James Muirhead, while Samson curbed his natural style during his 80-ball effort, hitting just six boundaries.
The win, achieved within 40 overs, helped India ‘A’ get a bonus point and maintain its lead at the top of the table.
The Indians, who opted to bowl, stifled the NPS batsmen before half-centuries from Jordan Silk (67) and Ashton Turner (73) took the Australian side to a decent score. The Indians have won four of their five matches and are on top of the table with 19 points.
The scores: NPS 234 for nine in 50 overs (Jordan Silk 67, Ashton Turner 73, Sean Abbott 41) lost to India ‘A’ 238 for seven in 39.5 overs (Kedar Jadhav 87, Sanju Samson 55 n.o., James Muirhead four for 92).