JOIN US Pacer Ashok Dinda struck when it mattered the most as India ‘A’ drew the two-match Twenty20 series against the West Indies ‘A’ by winning the second and final game in the one-over eliminator here.
After being put into bat by the hosts, the Indians put on a competitive 154 on board but the Caribbeans managed to tie the match which was ultimately decided by the one-over Eliminator in which run-outs by Dinda proved decisive.
West Indies ‘A’ made four runs in five balls in the Eliminator which India ‘A’ chased down comfortably, making seven runs in 3 balls — including a couple of wides conceded by Suleiman Benn. With this victory, the visitors drew the two-match series after losing the opening game by three wickets on Saturday.
Shikhar Dhawan (33) and Ajinkya Rahane (79) put on 61 runs for the opening wickets before the former became Garey Mathurin’s only victim of the game by holing out to Kieran Powell. His departure led to an all too familiar batting collapse with Rahane struggling to get a steady partner at the other end.
India were eventually restricted to 154 for five in their 20 overs after yet another middle-order flopshow.
The West Indians were also off to a good start as Nkrumah Bonner (82) and Kieran Powell stitched together a 72-run opening stand.
The hosts also endured a middle-order collapse but Bonner’s steady knock, which was an effective mix of caution and aggression, ensured that the side managed to tie the scores.
Brief scores: India ‘A’: 154/5 in 20 overs (Shikhar Dhawan 33, Ajinkya Rahane 79) bt West Indies ‘A’: 154/ 4 in 20 overs (Nkrumah Bonner 82, Kieran Powell 34). Eliminator: West Indies ‘A’: Four of five balls, India ‘A’: Seven of three balls.