Press Trust of India
Bangalore, Sept 20: Senior batsman Suresh Raina (104, 94b, 9×4, 1×6) came good when it mattered the most and hit a strokeful century to help India A outplay Bangladesh A by 75 runs via Duckworth/Lewis method in the third rain-hit ODI and clinch the series 2-1, here today.
Electing to bat, the Unmukt Chand-led side rode on Raina’s ton to post 297 for six in 50 overs. The bowlers then restricted the visitors for 141 for six in 32 overs when rain halted play for the second and final time. The first rain interruption saw the chasing target being revised to 290 runs in 46 overs, while the second and final rain halt saw a mathematical revision of 217 runs in 32 overs.
It was the batting that did the trick for India A as Unmukt (41, 68b, 4×4, 1×6) stitched an 82-run second-wicket partnership with wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson (90, 99b, 10×4, 1×6) to give the team a solid start after the early dismissal of Mayank Agarwal (four) early on.
Raina was under a bit of pressure after his failure in the first two ODIs. However, he rose to the occasion with a fine knock, hitting the Bangla A bowlers to all parts of the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. His 116 runs partnership for the third wicket with Samson, put India on a firm pedestal.
Chasing, the Mominul Haque-led side were never in the chase, as they lost regular wickets. The middle-order tried to play saviour, but the batsmen failed to convert their starts into bigger scores. Sabbir Rahman top-scored with an unbeaten 41, but he was fighting a lost cause.
Brief scores: India A 297 for 6 (Suresh Raina 104, Sanju Samson 90) beat Bangladesh 141 for 6 in 32 overs (Sreenath Aravind 2/14). India won by 75 runs (D/L) method.
