Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Sen star in India A’s commanding win over New Zealand A

India A put on a commanding batting and bowling show in the first one-day match against New Zealand A in Chepauk on Thursday as they registered a commanding seven-wicket win riding on Shardul Thakur and Kuldeep Sen’s superb spells.

Thakur bowled an excellent spell of 8.1-1-32-4 and Kuldeep also supported him well with yet another strong spell of 7-0-30-3 to bowl the Kiwis out for a paltry total of 167. None of the top and middle-order batters looked at ease against the Indian bowlers. They had to thank lower-order batters Michael Rippon and Joe Walker who played good knocks of 61 and 36 respectively to help them in getting to a respectable total.

As far as the Indian batting goes, there was no big individual contribution but each of the top and middle-order batters played significant knocks to help them in chasing the target down with more than 18 overs to spare.

Prithvi Shaw was dismissed quite early for an individual contribution of 17 runs whereas his opening partner Ruturaj Gaikwad carried on and played an impressive knock of 41. Rahul Tripathi also looked good during his brief innings of 31, but it was Rajat Patidar who looked in sublime touch, remaining unbeaten in 45 off just 41 deliveries. Skipper Sanju Samson also remained unbeaten along with him on a score of 29 off 32 deliveries.

As for the Kiwi bowlers, Logan van Beek, Matthew Fisher and Michael Rippon claimed a wicket each. The two teams will lock horns again in the second one-day of the three-match series at the same venue on September 25.

Brief Scores

New Zealand A 167 All Out in 40.2 Overs (Rippon 61, Walker 36; Thakur 4/32)

India A 170/3 in 31.5 Overs (Patidar 45*, Gaikwad 41; Rippon 1/28)

India A won by seven wickets.