Mumbai: Two players who are not part of the India ODI squad that will take on England gave a good account of themselves in India A’s three-wicket defeat at the hands of the visitors here on Tuesday. Ambati Rayudu scored a stroke-filled century, while ‘chinaman’ Kuldeep Yadav took five wickets, but their efforts were not enough to give M.S. Dhoni a fitting farewell in his last match as a captain. Dhoni, however, entertained the crowd with an unbeaten 40-ball 68.
A collective effort from England top-order — Jason Roy (62), Alex Hales (40) and Sam Billings (93) — was ably backed up by Jos Buttler (46) and Liam Dawson (41) as they chased down the target (304) with seven balls to spare.
Earlier, Ambati Rayudu scored a flawless century, while Yuvraj Singh (56) and Shikhar Dhawan (63) cracked contrasting half centuries to make optimum use of the game.
However, it was Dhoni's final flourish that took India A past 300-mark. He slammed a 40-ball 68 that studded with two sixes and eight fours. Rayudu, who is not part of the ODI squad that take on England, came in after opener Mandeep Singh (8) was castled by David Willey (2/55) in the eighth over. He was fluent from the word go and treated spinners, especially Liam Dawson with disdain. He didn't spare seamer Jake Ball (2/61) either. Rayudu's aggression spurred Dhawan who struggled early on.
The duo shared a century stand for the second wicket to set a strong platform for Yuvraj and Dhoni to play with freedom. Dhawan was measured in his approach. Medium pacers Chris Woakes and David Willey kept a tight leash on the openers. When Jake came back for his second spell, Dhawan edged a length delivery to wicket-keeper Jos Butler.
Yuvraj was a bit shaky initially as he struggled against leg-spinner Adil Rashid and offie Moeen. Rayudu retired himself out immediately soon after reaching his hundred to pave way for Dhoni to walk into the middle.
