Chasing 174 runs in the last one-day against New Zealand ‘A’, Shardul Thakur (40) and Karn Sharma (38* off 49) helped India ‘A’ to a three-wicket in Vizag.
Although A Eswaran had kept India ‘A’ in the chase with a 49-run knock, strikes at regular intervals from NZ ‘A’ had left the hosts struggling on 90 for six. Karn and Shardul then forged a 65-run stand to keep the innings in the fray; and the former eventually took India ‘A’ to the finish line.
After NZ ‘A’ had elected to bat, Thakur claimed Colin Munro in the third over to leave the visitors on 11 for one. George Worker continued to take the innings forward with Glenn Phillips until the latter was sent back by Karn. 31 runs later, Tom Bruce was removed by Shahbaz Nadeem leaving the Kiwis on 80 for three. But it was Basil Thampi’s triple strike 18 runs later that pushed the visitors on the back-foot. He bowled Worker for 39 and trapped Tom Blundell lbw off the next ball. And although the bowler missed out on a hat-trick, he accounted for Tom Seifert of the penultimate ball of the over to leave NZ ‘A’ on 98 for six.
While the lower-order toiled to add runs to the total, Mohammed Siraj dismissed Scott Kuggeleijn and later wrapped-up the innings with the wicket of Lockie Ferguson. Todd Astle remained unbeaten on 22 while Matt Henry was castled by Nadeem as India ‘A’ restricted the visitors to 173.
Chasing the modest total, India ‘A’ were left gasping on 30 for four by Kuggeleijn and Ferguson who picked two wickets each. Baba Aparajith then came to the crease and partnered Eswaran in resuscitating the Indian innings. The pair had added 52 runs for the fifth wicket until the middle-order bat was trapped leg before wicket by Astle. The opener looked to rally on with Karn for company, but was sent back eight runs later by Ferguson.
Karn and Thakur then built a partnership to keep the Indian innings afloat. While Karn held up one end, Thakur milked the bowlers to inch towards the target. However, with India ‘A’ still 19 runs short of the target, Thakur was sent back by Matt Henry for 40 (off 32 balls).
With Nadeem, Karn then took India ‘A’ to their third successive win of the series.
