Lower order brilliance helps India A win match and series

New Delhi: A lower order brilliance and disciplined bowling performance helped India A beat New Zealand A by three wickets in a close encounter in the final unofficial ODI at Visakhapatnam to keep a clean sheet and win the five-match series 3-0.

The first match was a washout and second ended in a thrilling tie.

Karn Sharma again starred in India A’s victory but this time with the bat. He remained unbeaten on 38 to get his side over the finishing line after a top order collapse.

Chasing a target of 174, India A’s top order was found wanting in front of a charged up New Zealand bowling attack led by Lockie Fergusson (3/24) and Matt Henry.

Previous match top scorer Abhimanyu Easwaran crafted his way to 49 but the rest came and went. India A were reduced to 90 for six and the target appeared a distant dream.

A 65-run seventh wicket partnership between Karn Sharma and Shardul Thakur then completely changed the course of the match in the hosts’ favour.

Shardul Thakur, who was picked in India’s ODI squad for New Zealand series, showed his utility by playing a lovely cameo of 40 at an impressive strike rate of 125 with 3 sixes and 3 fours before finally getting out to Matt Henry.

His partner at the other end, Karn Sharma however, kept his cool with Shahbaz Nadeem (7) to knock off the remaining runs 32.1 overs.

Earlier, it was Basil Thampi who bowled with a lot of pace and bounce to trouble the visitor’s. He returned with figures of 3 for 19 in his 6 overs.

Interestingly, Thampi was the last option for his captain Rishab Pant, who had used six bowlers before him.

The spin duo of Karn Sharma (1/38) and Shahbaz Nadeem (2/34) were again at their very best to choke the New Zealand batsmen.