AUS A v IND A, Match 11 Review: Manish Pandey's ton in vain as visitors fall one-run short

When India A last played against Australia A in the series, it was a batsmen’s hell as Indian batsmen were tumbled down for 55 runs. However, it was a different scenario today as the two sides took on each other on a batting deck.

Being the table toppers, India have already qualified for the finals. Considering the even bounce on the surface, the Indian skipper Manish Pandey was more than happy to put the opposition to bat first. Despite losing Marcus Stoinis early in the innings, who was trapped in front by Shardul Thakur, Australia laid the foundation really well with Kurtis Patterson and Nic Maddinson adding 230 runs for the second wicket. Indian all-rounder, Hardik Pandya was the one who brought an end to the highly threatened partnership, as he dismissed Patterson.

Meanwhile, Patterson and Maddinson have completed their centuries as Patterson scored a 123-ball 115 and Maddinson scored 118 runs from 117 balls with 9 boundaries and 4 sixes.

Given the huge partnership, Australia doesn’t make the most of the platform they have got as they scored just 70-80 in the last 10 overs. However, they managed to post a target of 323 from 50 overs. India was also quite luxurious in giving away free runs as they bowled as many as 5 no-balls and 8 wides.

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India lost Faiz Fazal and Shreyas Iyer early in the chase, but the Indian skipper along with Mandeep Singh steadied the ship. Mandeep went on to score his first 50-plus score of the series. However, India was in all sorts of trouble at 4/144 after the dismissal of Mandeep and Kedhar Jadhav (20).

Indian wicket-keeper batsman Sanju Samson joined the skipper at the middle and the duo played sensibly, waiting for the loose balls from the bowlers. Sanju was keen in bouncing on anything out of line or length from the leg-spinner Cameron Boyce. Once they got settled, both the batsmen started to take the attack to the opposition. The duo added 157 runs for the 5th wicket at a run-rate of 7.98.

Manish Pandey brought his second ton of the series, and India crossed the 300-run mark with the win in sight. It was a run-a-ball game, but the story suddenly changed with a twist in the tale. From 301 for 4 to 321 for 8, India ended up needing 3 runs off the last ball and was able to score just a single. Thereby, Australia registered their second win of the series, winning the match by 1-run. With 16 points, they moved to the top spot in the points table.

Brief Scores:

Australia A – 322 for 6 from 50 overs (Nic Maddinson 118, Kurtis Patterson – 115, Shardul Thakur 2/50)

India A – 321 for 8 from 50 overs (Manish Pandey 110, Sanju Samson 87, Daniel Worrall 2/57)

Australia A won by 1 run

Watch: Match highlights