Rohit Sharma returned from an injury layoff in sparkling fashion as India A outclassed the Sri Lankans by 88 runs in their only warm-up game at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on October 30 (Thursday).
Rohit’s 111-ball 142 and his 214-run second-wicket stand with Manish Pandey, who smashed an unbeaten 135 off 113 deliveries, propelled India A to an imposing 382 for 6 in 50 overs. Karn Sharma, the legspinner, then did his credentials no harm by taking 4 for 47. As a result, the Sri Lankans, who spoke about being underprepared ahead of the five-match One-Day International series starting on November 2, were restricted to 294 for 9 when they ran out of time.
Among the experienced batsmen, only Upul Tharanga, the opener, stood tall to make 76, while Kumar Sangakkara (34) and Mahela Jayawardene (33) threw away strong starts. While Karn dealt the body blows, Dhawal Kulkarni, the medium pacer, and Parvez Rasool, the offspinner, picked up two wickets apiece.
That India A managed to get into a position of strength was courtesy a splendid show by the top order. Rohit, playing his first competitive fixture since breaking his finger in the second ODI against England in August, formed vital partnerships with Unmukt Chand and Pandey along the way. The openers added 96 in just 12.5 overs before Chand was caught by Sangakkara off Lahiru Gamage, the uncapped medium pacer, for 53.
But that didn’t stop the haemorrhage of runs as Pandey continued from where Chand left off. His second-wicket stand with Rohit helped India A finish with a flourish. Pandey, who was named in India’s squad for the one-off Twenty20 International against West Indies which was since abandoned as the West Indians left the tour midway through, hammered 15 fours and a six in his unbeaten 135 off just 113 balls, while Manoj Tiwary (36), the captain, chipped in with a cameo.
With Tillakaratne Dilshan rested, the Sri Lankans needed an explosive start from Kusal Perera. But Kulkarni triggered the slide right at the outset as he sent back the explosive left-hand batsman in the first over. Tharanga’s quest to set up a platform for the chase was then derailed by Karn, who dismissed Dhammika Prasad, Jayawardene and Angelo Mathews, the captain, as the visitors slipped to 173 for 6.
From that position, there was no way out. Seekkuge Prasanna, the allrounder, and Ashan Priyanjan made 29 and 23 respectively, but that merely delayed the inevitable.
Brief scores:
India A 382/6 in 50 overs (Rohit Sharma 142, Unmukt Chand 53, Manish Pandey 135 n.o; Dhammika Prasad 3-57, Lahiru Gamage 2-41) beat Sri Lankans 294/9 in 50 overs (Upul Tharanga 76, Kumar Sangakkara 34, Mahela Jayawardene 33, Seekkuge Prasanna 29; Karn Sharma 4-47, Dhawal Kulkarni 2-41, Parveez Rasool 2-56) by 88 runs.
Rohit, Pandey pulverise Sri Lankans
