Batters, Sindhu help India A enter tri-series final after 101-run win over Afghanistan A
Dambulla, June 17
Riding on a strong batting display led by skipper Tilak Varma and left-arm spinner Nishant Sindhu's four-wicket haul, India A stormed into the final of the 50-over tri-series with a commanding 101-run victory over Afghanistan A at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
Dambulla, June 17 (IANS) Riding on a strong batting display led by skipper Tilak Varma and left-arm spinner Nishant Sindhu's four-wicket haul, India A stormed into the final of the 50-over tri-series with a commanding 101-run victory over Afghanistan A at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
Half-centuries from Varma (59), Priyansh Arya and Kumar Kushagra (58 each) helped India A post a mammoth 319/9 in their 50 overs. In reply, Sindhu picked 4-31 to bowl out Afghanistan A for 218 in 36.5 overs.
Promoted to open the batting with no Prabhsimran Singh around, Arya made full use of the opportunity to hit eight boundaries and a six in his 42-ball vigil at the crease. He shared a rollicking 75-run stand in just eight overs with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who made a scratchy 38, and didn't capitalise on the reprieves given
Arya's dismissal to Farmanullah Safi halted his charge, but India A's middle order ensured the momentum did not dip. After Ruturaj Gaikwad fell for 30, Kushagra, who came in for Ayush Badoni, shared a pivotal 104-run partnership with Tilak. While Tilak hit a measured 59 off 75 balls, Kushagra smashed 58 off 67 deliveries, before Vipraj Nigam's brisk cameo of 30 off 20 balls pushed India's total past 310.
In reply, Afghanistan A began brightly through captain Imran Mir's 27-ball 32 but faltered under sustained pressure. Despite an 87-run stand between Faisal Shinozada (46) and Bahir Shah (57), the chase lost steam once Anukul Roy dismissed the former and the latter fell to Nigam. Sindhu, who had struck early to remove Mir, returned to mop up the tail and get an outstanding win for India A.
Brief Scores: India A 319/9 in 50 overs (Tilak Varma 59, Priyansh Arya 58; Abdullah Ahmadzai 2-62, Farmanullah Safi 2-62) beat Afghanistan A 218 all out in 36.5 overs (Bahir Shah 57, Faisal Shinozada 46; Nishant Sindhu 4-31, Yash Thakur 2-48) by 101 runs
— IANS
Reader Comments
Impressive win by India A! Priyansh Arya's 58 off 42 balls was exactly what we needed after Prabhsimran's absence. But honestly, the middle order needs to be more consistent - we can't always rely on cameos. Still, great team effort.
Solid performance from India A! Nishant Sindhu is definitely one to watch - that 4-31 was top class. The batting depth is impressive but I'd love to see more firepower in the lower order against stronger teams. Good luck in the final!
Great win! But I feel sorry for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi - he got starts but didn't convert. That's been the story of Indian cricket in the last few years, batters getting 30s and 40s but not going big. Hope the selectors are watching closely for the main team.
Afghanistan A put up a good fight - Bahir Shah's 57 was impressive. But India A just had too much firepower. That partnership between Tilak and Kushagra was crucial. Looking forward to the final now! 🏏
Honestly, I'm more impressed with Nishant Sindhu than the batters today. 4-31 on that pitch is special. But we need to see if he can do it consistently against stronger opposition. The bench strength is definitely there though! 🇮🇳
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