India A lose by 1 run to Australia A, make it to final

Skipper Manish Pandey’s valiant century went in vain as India A lost to Australia A by a solitary run in a high-scoring thriller in the Quadrangular Cricket series here today but still made it to the summit clash.

The defeat will not do any harm to the Rahul Dravid coached side as it had already qualified for the final. 

The win ensured that Australia A also qualified for the title clash ahead of South Africa A.

The win meant that Australia A finished on top of the table while India A came second after the round robin encounters.

Put in to bat, Australia A made a commanding 322 for six riding on twin centuries from Kurtis Patterson (115) and Nic Maddinson (118) with Varun Aaron proving to be the most expensive Indian bowler being hammered for 65 in seven overs.

In reply, India A finished at 321 for 8 in 50 overs despite Pandey’s 91-ball 110 and an attractive 74-ball 87 from Sanju Samson.

India A required 9 runs off the final over and they got 6 from the first four balls. 

With only 3 runs required from 2 balls, Samson was holed out by Marcus Stoinis off his former Rajasthan Royals colleague Kane Richardson’s delivery.