Press Trust of India
Bangalore, Sept 16: Fine all-round displays by Gurkeerat Singh (65, 58b, 9×4 and 5/29) and Rishi Dhawan (56 n o, 8×4, 2×6 and 2/51) enabled India A to comfortably crush Bangladesh A by 96 runs in the first ODI of the three-match series here Wednesday. Gurkeerat was adjudged man of the match for his show.
After putting up 322 for the loss of seven wickets in 50 overs, the Indian bowlers dismissed Bangladesh for 226 in 42.3 overs. Gurkeerat, who bowls off-spin, recorded his best ever figures in List A games.
However, it turned out to be a damp game for Suresh Raina (16, 28b, 3×4) who looked very rusty during his short tenure at the crease. He played down the wrong line to be caught plumb in front by off-spinner Nasir Hossain.
It was Gurkeerat along with young Sanju Samson (73, 76b, 8×4) who steadied the innings after the hosts were reduced to 125 for five. The two put on 102 runs for the sixth wicket to put India A in a position of command. Dhawan and Samson then added 78 runs for the seventh wicket to take the hosts past the 300-run mark. Earlier Mayank Agarwal (56, 70b, 8×4) opening the innings impressed all with some eye-catching drives on both sides of the wicket.
When Bangladesh batted, left-arm seamer Srinath Aravind (3/29) made good use of his knowledge of Chinnaswamy track and conditions to rock the visitors early on. Bangaldesh A were reduced to 87 for five and only due to the efforts of Litton (75, 75b, 8×4, 2×6) and Hossain (52, 71b, 2×2, 4×4) crossed the 200-run mark.
Brief scores: India A 322 for 7 (Sanju Samson 73, Gurkeerat Singh 65, Rishi Dhawan 56 n o) bt Bangladesh A 226 all out in 42.3 overs (Litton Das 75, Gurkeerat Singh 5/29, Srinath Aravind 3/29) by 96 runs.
