India A clinched the three-match unofficial ODI series against Australia A 2-1 with a thrilling two-wicket victory in Kanpur, chasing down a stiff 317-run target. Prabhsimran Singh’s blazing century laid the foundation, while captain Shreyas Iyer and Riyan Parag provided crucial middle-order support to guide India A to triumph.
Prabhsimran’s Blazing Ton Sets the Tempo
Opening batter Prabhsimran Singh led the charge with a blistering 68-ball 102, featuring eight fours and seven sixes. He shared a quick 83-run opening stand with Abhishek Sharma, setting the stage for India’s chase. Despite losing wickets in clusters later, his innings provided the momentum India A needed.
“𝑷𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒉𝒔𝒊𝒎𝒓𝒂𝒏’𝒔 𝒂𝒈𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒑𝒖𝒕 𝒖𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒍,” 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝑰𝒚𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉. “𝑯𝒆 𝒈𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒖𝒔 𝒆𝒙𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒍𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎 𝒘𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒂 𝒃𝒊𝒈 𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍.”
Tilak Varma and Abhishek fell in quick succession, but Iyer and Parag stabilized the innings, adding 117 runs off 92 balls for the fourth wicket. Both batters scored half-centuries — Iyer with 62 off 58 balls and Parag with 62 off 55 — showcasing their maturity under pressure.
Sangha, Murphy Fight Back but India Hold Nerve
Australia A’s leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha (4 for 72) and Todd Murphy (4 for 42) triggered a collapse, reducing India A from 262 for 3 to 301 for 8. However, Vipraj Nigam (24)* and Arshdeep Singh (7)* held their nerves, stitching an unbeaten 21-run stand to take the hosts home with 24 balls remaining.
“𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒌𝒆𝒚 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒚 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒎,” 𝑵𝒊𝒈𝒂𝒎 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅. “𝑾𝒆 𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒆𝒂𝒍 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒖𝒔.”
Arshdeep, Rana Wreck Early Havoc
Earlier, India A’s pacers Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana rocked Australia A’s top order, leaving them reeling at 44 for 4. While Arshdeep dismissed both openers, Rana sent back Harry Dixon and Lachlan Hearne. Australia A recovered through captain Jack Edwards (89) and Liam Scott (73), who added 152 runs for the seventh wicket to take their side past 300.
Despite the late fightback, Arshdeep (3 for 38) and Rana (3 for 61) ensured the target remained within reach — one that India A’s batters eventually chased down in style.
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