1st unofficial ODI: Ruturaj Gaikwad shines as IND-A beat SA-A
What's the story
The 1st unofficial ODI between India A and South Africa A saw the hosts win by 4 wickets. The match held at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, Khandheri, Rajkot, saw SA-A post a score of 285/9 in 50 overs. Delano Potgieter scored 90 runs whereas Dian Forrester and Bjorn Fortuin also hammered fifties. In response, a century from Ruturaj Gaikwad helped India A win.
SA-A
Summary of SA-A's innings
SA-A were reduced to 16/4 and 53/5 to been in real trouble. A 113-run stand for the 6th wicket steadied the ship. Forrester and Potgieter led the charge with this brilliant stand. After Forrester's dismissal, Fortuin joined Potgieter and the two added 87 runs for the 7th wicket. Fortuin's exploits helped SA-A get past 280. For India A, Harshit Rana picked 2/49.
Trio
Key knocks played by Forrester, Potgieter and Fortuin
Forrester's knock of 77 came from 83 balls. He hit 4 fours and 4 sixes. Riyan Parag dismissed him in the 32nd over. Potgieter shone with a knock of 90 from 105 balls. He hit 10 fours and a six. Nitish Reddy picked his wicket in the 46th over. Meanwhile, Fortuin's 59 from 56 balls had 8 fours. Rana dismissed him (50th over).
Information
2 wickets each for Arshdeep and Harshit
Arshdeep Singh claimed 2 wickets. He clocked 2/59 from 10 overs. Rana finished with 2/49 as mentioned. Both of them bowled one maiden over each. Prasidh Krishna managed 1/57 from 10 overs (1 maiden).
Chase
India get past SA-A's total
Abhishek Sharma and Gaikwad added an opening stand of 64 runs. After Riyan Parag's dismissal next, Gaikwad was joined by India A skipper Tilak Varma. The two added 89 runs to steady the ship. Gaikwad was part of a 40-run stand alongside Ishan Kishan next and brought up his century before departing. Reddy (37) and Nishant Sindhu (29*) got the job done thereafter.
Gaikwad
17th century for Gaikwad in List A cricket
Gaikwad scored 117 runs off 129 balls. India A were 219/5 when he was dismissed. Playing his 87th match in List A cricket, Gaikwad's 117 takes him to a tally of 4,441 runs at an average of close to 57 from 84 innings. This was his 17th century in List A cricket. He also owns 17 fifties.