India A beat Australia A to clinch tri-series

After restricting Australia A at 226 for nine, Indian A chased down 229 runs by losing six wickets.

Gurkeerat Singh produced magic both with the ball as he picked up two wickets and then with his unbeaten 87 to help India win the title by beating the mighty Australians who had performed strongly in the series so far.

A star performer, Singh hammered seven boundaries and two sixes in his 85-ball 87.

Mayank Agarwal  (32) and skipper Unmukt Chand (24) contributed with their willows at the top of the order for India A but could not convert the start they got in the innings.

Ashton Agar picked up two wickets for Australia A.

Earlier Australia A scored 226 runs for the loss of nine wickets.

Usman Khawaja top scored with his 76 runs.

Karn Sharma picked up three wickets for India A.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has congratulated India ‘A’ team on winning the Paytm tri-series involving quality sides – Australia ‘A’ and South Africa ‘A’.

BCCI President, Jagmohan Dalmiya said, “ODI series win against Zimbabwe by the young Indian team last month and this tri-series win by India ‘A’ today further establishes the fact that India is well prepared for the long season ahead.”

“I also must congratulate Mr. Rahul Dravid for this victory. While we always believed that we have quality talent available, with Rahul’s involvement we could create an environment where it is like a learning curve for the upcoming players apart from it being a platform to showcase their talent,” said Dalmiya.

Secretary of the BCCI Anurag Thakur also believes the same and he said, “BCCI wants to ensure that the young players get adequately groomed in order to make certain that we have a strong bench-strength which is a determining factor in modern day cricket. Events like these act like foundation from where to form a pool of players who could be groomed to graduate onto the next level.”

“Even during tri-series, mental toughness of the players was tested. After a loss, the management and players took stock of where they were and how they fell short. And it is indeed a sense of contentment that they could emerge as champions in the end,” said Thakur, lauding the India ‘A’ team’s efforts and achievements.