Media365
Opener Prabhsimran Singh’s blistering century and skipper Shreyas Iyer’s fluent half-century powered India A to a tense two-wicket win over Australia A in the third and final unofficial ODI on Sunday, clinching the series 2-1. Chasing 317, India A appeared set for a comfortable finish before a late collapse tested their nerves. But Vipraj Nigam (24 not out) and Arshdeep Singh (7 not out) held firm to take the hosts home with four overs to spare. Prabhsimran set the tone early with a dazzling 102 off 68 balls, featuring clean strikes all around the park. Partnered by Abhishek Sharma (22), he gave India A a flying start, adding 83 runs in 11.2 overs before Todd Murphy dismissed Abhishek. Murphy soon removed Tilak Varma (3), but Prabhsimran continued to dominate and reached his hundred off just 66 balls. Skipper Shreyas Iyer (62 off 58 balls; seven fours and one six) joined in with a composed knock, putting on 96 runs with Prabhsimran for the third wicket. Iyer looked in rhythm, driving and cutting confidently as he brought up his fifty in 51 balls. With this, he also sent a stern message following his ascension to the role of vice captain with skipper Shubman Gill for the upcoming ODIs against Australia. After Prabhsimran fell to Tanveer Sangha in the 20th over, Riyan Parag (58 off 53) carried the momentum with a breezy innings that featured some audacious strokeplay. Their 117-run stand placed India A firmly ahead before Sangha (4/72) and Murphy (4/42) sparked a collapse. From 262 for three, India A slipped to 301 for eight, losing five wickets in quick succession. Murphy even threatened a hat-trick in the 42nd over after dismissing Ayush Badoni and Harshit Rana off successive balls, but Arshdeep calmly defended the next delivery to keep India afloat. Earlier, Arshdeep (3/38) and Harshit Rana (3/61) gave India A an ideal start with the ball, reducing Australia A to 24 for three inside six overs. The visitors recovered through Cooper Connolly (64), who counterattacked alongside Lachlan Shaw (32), before Ayush Badoni (2/31) broke the stand.
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Captain Jack Edwards (89 off 75) and Liam Scott (73 off 64) then led a strong middle-order fightback, adding 152 runs for the seventh wicket to lift Australia A to 316 in 49.1 overs. Despite the setback during the chase, India A showed composure to close out the match and the series.
