First Unofficial ODI Ruturaj guides India ‘A’ to an emphatic win

Ruturaj Gaikwad (File photo)

A career-best 187 by Ruturaj Gaikwad laid the foundation for India ‘A’ to record a 48-run win over Sri Lanka ‘A’ in the first Unofficial ODI played at Belgaum yesterday.
The match which got off to a late start due to a wet outfield was curtailed to 42 overs per side contest. 

India ‘A’, invited to take first lease of the wicket posted a massive 317 for four and then restricted the visitors for 269 runs.  Gaikwad’s quick-fire knock came off just 136 balls which comprised 26 boundaries and two sixes and he was also involved in two fruitful partnerships.  He first put on 167 in 152 balls for the second wicket with Anmolpreet Singh who scored 65 in 67 balls inclusive of six boundaries.  Gaikwad then added 99 runs in 71 balls for the third-wicket with Ishan Kishan who chipped in with 45.  Sri Lanka ‘A’ in their run chase lost two early wickets for 22 before Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Shehan Jayasuriya added 59 for the third-wicket.  Shehan also added 51 for the fourth-wicket with Skipper Ashan Priyanjan.  Shehan who made an unbeaten 108 in 120 balls which had eight boundaries and two sixes was associated in a 92-run stand for the sixth-wicket with Dasun Shanaka.

India ‘A’: 317/4 in 42 overs (Anmolpreet Singh 65, Ishan Kishan 45, Ruturaj Gaikwad 187 n.o, Lahiru Kumara 3/62) 

Sri Lanka ‘A’: 269/6 in 42 overs (Dasun Shanaka 44, Bhanuka Rajapaksa 29, Ashan Priyanjan 29, Shehan Jayasuriya 108 n.o, Ishan Jayaratne 20 n.o, Mayank Markande 2/66).  MSA