A fine all-round performance by Shreyas Gopal helped KSCA XI pull off an incredible win over a visiting Australian National Performance Squad in a four-day match here at the Alur grounds.
The Australian side, which is coached and mentored by Aussie batting legend and National Talent Manager Greg Chappell, failed to defend a massive target of 360-plus runs to be achieved in 70 overs with Shreyas producing a sparkling ton in the fourth innings.
Shreyas tallied 198 runs for the match and claimed seven wickets, including a five-wicket haul in the second innings.
Batting first, the visitors amassed 468 all out in 124.2 overs. Cameron Bancroft struck a century while Jake Doran (57) and Will Bosisto (64) chipped in with meaty contributions. Off-spinner Udit Patel (3/126) and Shreyas (2/116), who plies leg-spin, went for plenty while Harish Kumar bagged 2/55.
KSCA, in reply, managed 382 all out in 82.1 overs, riding on half-centuries from Mayank Agarwal (82), KL Rahul (71), KN Bharath (83) and Shreyas (75).
Having taken a handy 86-run lead, the Australian side declared their second innings at 275 for six, Alex Gregory top-scoring with 96. Of the six wickets to fall, Shreyas bagged five conceding 103 runs.
Chasing a daunting 362 against a team consisting several Australia ‘A’ players, the hosts replied with 364 for five in 68.1 overs. Shreyas stood out with his unbeaten 123 (149b, 20x4) that drew huge praise from Chappell. While Shreyas’ innings was the cornerstone of KSCA’s successful chase, there were handsome contributions from Abhishek Reddy (94), KC Avinash (75 n.o.).
Brief scores:
Australian National Performance Squad: 468 all out in 124.2 overs (Matthew Short 46, Jordan Silk 37, Jake Doran 57, Alex Gregory 42, Cameron Bancroft 104, Will Bosisto 64, James Muirhead 39, Tom Andrews 43; Udit Patel 3-126, Harish Kumar R 2-55, Shreyas Gopal 2-116) and 275/6 decl. 65.3 overs (Alex Keath 68, Alex Gregory 96, Will Bosisto 56 n.o.; Shreyas Gopal 5-103) lost to KSCA XI: 382 all out in 82.1 overs (Mayank Agarwal 82, KL Rahul 71, KN Bharath 83, Shreyas Gopal 75, T Pradeep 27; Simon Mackin 3-33, James Muirhead 3-111) and 364/5 in 68.1 overs (Abhishek Reddy 94, GS Chiranjeev 34, Shreyas Gopal 123 n.o., KC Avinash 75 n.o.; Simon Mackin 3-79, Alex Keath 2-25).