Ajinkya Rahane and Hanuma Vihari blinked at the wrong moment, missing what would have been a well deserving century for both the players. But, despite the missed landmarks, it was India A all the way, which cruised to a rousing 138-run win over England Lions at the Sports Hub, Kariyavattom, on Friday.
The win puts the Indians two-up in the five-match one-day series, with the third to be played on Sunday at the same venue. The loss of Anmolpreet Singh early on did not put the brakes on the Indian innings as Rahane and Vihari got together an entertaining 180-run second wicket partnership which lasted 29.5 overs.
Runs virtually flowed as the duo, after the Indians were put in to bat, attacked the English bowling with gusto, sending the ball to all parts of the ground. The two, however, was unable to ensure the personal milestone which they were in search for, as Vihari departed on 92 (83 balls, eight fours, four sixes) going for a cross-batted shot off Will Jacks, and ending up giving an easy catch to substitute Jamie Overton at deep midwicket.
Rahane, who faced 117 deliveries for his 91 (four fours, four sixes) fell victim to Zak Chappell, who had the Indian skipper caught by Sam Hain. The quick departure of these two batsmen, however, did not stop the flow of runs as Shreyas Iyer converted the platform left behind by the duo to his own and the team’s advantage with a quickfire 65 (47 balls, five fours, two sixes), enabling India to complete its innings at 303 for six.
A chase of over six runs an over never materialised, as the Lions failed to get the partnerships going. They lost quick wickets – the big blows coming in the form of the exit of skipper Sam Billings, the centurion from two days ago, falling for just 12, and Sam Hain and Ollie Pope dismissed for no score. Only opener Alex Davies (48) and Lewis Gregory, in the middle order, did put up some resistance before the Indian bowlers wrapped up the match, with 12.2 overs to spare.
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