VVS Laxman congratulates India A for their win against Australia A in tri-series final at Chennai
VVS Laxman congratulates India A for their win against Australia A in tri-series final at Chennai
Former India batsman VVS Laxman took to social medias to congratulate India A on a four-wicket win over Australia A in the tri-series final also featuring South Africa A. India A had lost all the group matches against Australia A in the group stage, but put up a spirited performance them in the final and ensured that they secured their first trophy since Rahul Dravid took over as coach of the side. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) too congratulated the legend for this marvelous feat. Gurkeerat Singh came into crisis, sprinkled his ingredients to make India A’s innings flower again, and eventually clinched a comfortable title win with a six as India A chased 227 with more than six overs to spare against Australia A in the final in Chennai. READ: BCCI congratulates India A team members and coach Rahul Dravid on Tri-series win
Walking in to bat in the 17th over, he saw three more wickets fall around him, collected himself before establishing comfort in his alliance with wicke tkeeper Sanju Samson, and struck lusty blows towards the end to display an ideally constructed innings in the circumstances. His strike-rate was 70 to 80 for most of his innings, but eventually he brought it to 102.35. READ: Gurkeerat Singh, spinners steer India A to series-clinching win in Chennai
Three quick wickets fell thereafter: Unmukt Chand provided a straightforward catch to cover, Nair was given caught behind off a ball that cut through him, off Nathan Coulter-Nile. Kedar Jadhav for a brief while dominated the bowling, hitting five fours in a promising-looking partnership with Gurkeerat, before getting caught in the deep. Akshar Patel also gave away a solid start when he hooked Gurinder Sandhu for 24.
Australia A were left to rue their only bad day of the tri-series, indeed their tour of India. Indian spinners, who were largely mediocre throughout the tournament, made the difference on the day of the final. Karn Sharma’s three wickets were three of eight to fall to spinners as Australia A limped to 226 for 9 in their 50 overs. If Karn provided drift and turn, the other bowlers provided control and seemed decidedly slower through the air.