A splendid batting performance from India A raised visions of victory before West Indies A managed to hold on to a draw in the four-day ‘Test’ that concluded here on Saturday.
After a batting debacle in the first essay where it was shot out for 133, India’s batsmen posted a massive 609 for six in 111 overs, riding on a splendid career-best 188 from Prithvi Shaw, a 137 by R. Samarth and an equally useful 93 by skipper Karun Nair. This was after trailing by 150 runs in the first innings.
Needing 360 to win in 76 overs, West Indies was never in contention, managing 245 for seven in the stipulated overs with Jermaine Blackwood scoring 61.
Among the bowlers, Navdeep Saini put up a much improved performance in the second innings, ending with 2 for 41 in 14 overs. Spinners Shahbaz Nadeem and Jayant Yadav also chipped in with two wickets apiece.
West Indies was in trouble at 188 for six at one stage with more than 20 overs left. However, Raymon Reifer (11 no 74 balls) and Rahkeem Cornwall (40) defended for around 18 overs to save the Caribbeans from what would have been an embarrassing defeat.
Earlier, India A started the final day at 536 for four with skipper Karun batting on 77. India A quickly added 73 runs in 11 overs but the skipper missed out on a three-figure mark as he was dismissed for 93. He faced 154 balls and hit 11 boundaries.
It was keeper Kona Bharat, who hit a quick-fire 33 off 25 balls to take India past the 600-run mark before they declared their second innings.
Brief Scores: India A 133 and 609/6 decl (Prithvi Shaw 188, Ravikumar Samarth 137, Karun Nair 93). West Indies A 383 & (target 360) 245/7 in 76 overs (Jermaine Blackwood 61, Rahkeem Cornwall 40, Navdeep Saini 2/41, Shahbaz Nadeem 2/81, Jayant Yadav 2/73).
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