Ashok Menaria and Mandeep Singh scored unbeaten centuries and helped India ‘A’ post 433 for four at close on the opening day of the second unofficial cricket Test against New Zealand ‘A’ here on Tuesday.
Mandeep and Menaria also put on an unbeaten 294-run partnership for the fifth-wicket with the former remaining not out on 169 and the latter unbeaten on 164.
Opting to bat, India ‘A’ was in a spot of bother with four down for less than 140 on the board, but Mandeep and Menaria joined hands to not only consolidate the innings but also put the team in command against the host.
India ‘A’ lost both openers, Abhinav Mukund (12) and Unmukt Chand (7), with just 31 on the board.
But Anustup Majumdar and Mandeep put on 94 for the third wicket. However, Majumdar’s innings was cut short by Kiwi pacer Brent Arnel for 56. Suryakumar Yadav fell for nine to leave India ‘A’ at 139 for four. But Menaria and Mandeep launched an all-out attack against the Kiwi bowlers.
Menaria was the more dominant of the two. He played some delightful shots on the way to his 100 off just 90 balls.
His unbeaten 164 was studded with 21 boundaries and two sixes, while Mandeep’s knock of 169 was laced with 20 fours and a six.
Arnel was the pick of the New Zealand ‘A’ bowlers with figures of three for 70.
The first Test ended in a draw.
The scores:
India ‘A’ 433 for four in 88.2 overs (Anustup Majumdar 56, Mandeep Singh 169 batting, Ashok Menaria 164 batting, Brent Arnel three for 70) vs. New Zealand ‘A’.
