Ajinkya Rahane and Hanuma Vihari blinked at the wrong moment, missing what would have been a deserving century for each. But, India-A cruised to a rousing 138-run win over England Lions at the Sports Hub, Kariyavattom, on Friday.
The win puts the Indians 2-up in the five-match one-day series, the third to be played on Sunday at the same venue.
The loss of Anmolpreet Singh early on did not put the brakes on the Indian innings as Rahane and Vihari got together in an entertaining 180-run second-wicket partnership lasting 29.5 overs.
Runs flowed as the duo, after the Indians were put in, attacked the bowling with gusto and packed the ball to all parts of the ground.
However, they were unable to ensure personal milestones, as Vihari left at 92 (83b, 8x4, 4x6) going for a cross-batted shot off Will Jacks ended up giving an easy catch to substitute Jamie Overton at deep midwicket.
Skipper Rahane, who faced 117 deliveries for his 91 (4x4, 4x6), fell to Zak Chappell, holing out to Sam Hain.
The quick departure of these two, however, did not stop the flow of runs as Shreyas Iyer built on the platform to his own and the team’s advantage with a quickfire 65 (47b, 5x4, 2x6). His contribution took India-A’s total to 303 for six.
Lions failed to get partnerships going and could not meet the asking rate of over six runs an over.
The big blows were the exit of skipper Sam Billings, centurion two days ago, for just 12 and Sam Hain and Ollie Pope back without scoring.
Only opener Alex Davies (48) and Lewis Gregory, in the middle order, did put up some resistance before the Indian bowlers wrapped up the match, with 12.2 overs to spare.
The scores: India-A 303 for six in 50 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 91, Hanuma Vihari 92, Shreyas Iyer 65) bt England Lions 165 in 37.4 overs (Alex Davies 48, Lewis Gregory 39, Mayanak Markande three for 32).
