Samson, Dhawan shine as India A pockets series 4-1

While India opener Shikhar Dhawan hit his second consecutive fifty, Sanju Samson exhibited some power hitting as India A registered a 36-run win over South Africa A in the final unofficial ODI.

Sanju Samson soaks in the applause after reaching his half-century.

Sanju Samson made atonement in front of his home crowd and his splendid knock of 91 helped India A beat South Africa A by 36 runs in the fifth and final unofficial one-day match at the Sports Hub here on Thursday.

With this win, India A won the series 4-1.

Heavy rain in the morning and wet outfield turned the 50 overs contest into a T20 affair. Chasing a stiff target of 205 off 20 overs, South Africa A again put up a timid show and ended up getting bowled out for 168 runs.

Sanju walked in after opener Prashant Chopra (2) fell in the first over. He got into his groove pretty early and slammed Lutho Sipamla over mid-wicket for his first boundary.

Shikhar Dhawan played the supporting role as Sanju tore into the attack. Both Junior Dala and Marco Jansen bore the brunt of Sanju's attack as he raced to his fifty off 27 balls.

A century was for his taking but the wicketkeeper-batsman holed out to Malan at sweeper cover off George Linde.Dhawan (51) was circumspect after taking a hit on the neck as he tried to play the ramp shot off Beuran Hendricks.

India A team members strike a pose after winning the final unofficial ODI.

 

But, the southpaw slowly found his rhythm and played his trademark whip off the legs along with some crunch cover drives to reach his second consecutive fifty. He fell soon after charging at spinner George Linde.

However, his 137-run stand with Sanju for the second wicket flattened the visitors. Captain Shreyas Iyer played a cameo of 36 that enabled India A reach a formidable target.

The Reply

The fall of early wickets scuppered the South African chase. However, Kyle Verreynne and Reeza Hendricks attacked the Indian spinners to raise hopes.

Kyle (44) played a few audacious strokes but Washington Sundar had him caught at deep to end the threatening third wicket stand.

Reeza Hendricks played well for his half-century but he didn't get enough support from his team-mates.

Indian medium pacers were incisive at the death overs and brought a swift end to the innings with Shardul Thakur taking 3 for 9 from three overs.

Brief scores: India A 204 for 4 in 20 overs (Sanju Samson 91, Shikhar Dhawan 51, Shreyas Iyer 36, Beuran Hendricks 2/29, George Linde 2/43) beat South Africa A 168 all out in 20 overs (Reeza Hendricks 59, Kyle Verreynne 44, Shardul Thakur 3/9, Washington Sundar 2/39)