Report | Shreyas Iyer, Khaleel Ahmed star in India A’s win over West Indies A
Shreyas Iyer’s vigilant 107-ball 77 and Khaleel Ahmed’s 3 for 16 helped India A beat West Indies A by 65 runs in the first 50-over match at Coolidge. Hanuma Vihari chipped in with 34 with the bat, and spinners Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Rahul Chahar picked up two wickets each.
While all of India are still mourning the World Cup semi final loss against New Zealand, owing to a top order batting collapse, the junior boys in India A colors have made a case for themselves as future solutions to the problem. After winning the toss and electing to bat, India A found themselves in a spot of bother at 22 for three, with Rituraj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill and Manish Pandey back in the hut. In stepped Iyer, who calmed the storm with his patient 77. Along with Vihari, who made a sturdy 63-ball 34, Iyer guided India A to a respectable total of 190.
After Iyer’s knock, which included eight fours and a six, was ended by a run-out, the Windies A captain Roston Chase ran through the tail with his off-spin. He finished with figures of 4 for 19, while fast bowler Akeem Jordan picked up 3 for 23.
However, the Windies failed to capitalise on the late momentum from bowling, as they collapsed to 30 for 4. Ahmed (3) and Deepak Chahar shared the spoils of the top order. But the Windies no.5 and 6, Jonathan Carter and Rovman Powell showed some resistance, each scoring 41 runs. However, once their 65-run stand ended, it was only a matter of time before the Indian spin trio wrapped up the proceedings. The Windies were bundled out for 125, as Patel, Sundar and Chahar picked up two wickets each.
The senior team will tour West Indies from August 3. India will kickstart their World Test Championship 2019-2021 campaign with two Tests: Guyana Antigua (August 22 to 26) and Jamaica (August 30 to September 3). The Men in Blue will also play 3 T20Is, 3 one-day internationals and 2 Tests in the month-long tour.
