Gurkeerat started cautiously before prospering in the company of Sanju Samson
India 'A' player Gurkeerat Singh Mann shaking hands with an Australia A player after winning the final match of "Triangular Series" at the at MAC Stadium in Chennai. (Photo: AP)
Chennai: Rahul Dravid would have heaved a big sigh of relief on Friday as his India ‘A’ charges finally found a way to overcome Australia ‘A’. They did so when it mattered the most, in the final of the tri-series. The four-wicket win was Dravid’s first major taste of victory as India ‘A’ coach after a forgettable four-day series that preceded the one-day tournament. The Aussies who were a class apart in the league stage winning all four matches looked a pale shadow of themselves.
The victory was achieved with 39 balls to spare, but not before some drama. Chasing a modest target of 227, India had their back to the wall at 108 for five. When the home team, who had a capacity crowd rooting for them, were in a desperate need of a special innings, Gurkeerat Singh put his hand up. He shouldered India home with a heroic knock of 87 in 85 balls.
Gurkeerat started cautiously before prospering in the company of Sanju Samson. And, he finished with a bang smashing the 14 runs required from the first three balls of the 44th over.
Gurkeerat, who took two wickets earlier in the day, stitched a 34-run stand for the sixth wicket with Axar Patel (16) before joining hands with Sanju for an unbroken stand of 87.
Brief scores: Australia ‘A’ 226/9 in 50 overs (U. Khawaja 76, J. Burns 41, T. Head 20, C. Ferguson 21, Patel 2/52, Gurkeerat 2/42, Karn 3/37 lost to India ‘A’ 229/6 in 43.3 overs (M. Agarwal 32, U. Chand 24, Gurkeerat 87, Agar 2/39.)
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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