PUDUCHERRY: When India ‘A’ were staring at the prospect of a whitewash, Suryansh Shedge and Vipraj Nigam demonstrated why allrounders can be invaluable assets. They rescued a faltering batting unit before the bowlers completed a 49-run victory over Australia ‘A’ in the third unofficial One Dayer here on Sunday. Australia ‘A’, however, won the series 2-1.Shedge, a last-minute replacement for star allrounder Hardik Pandya before the series, justified his selection with a vital 66 off 60 balls in this game, while Vipraj chipped in with a 44-balls 40. Their 85-run seventh-wicket partnership lifted India ‘A’ from a precarious 159-6 to 275, giving their bowlers a competitive total to defend.While bowling too, Nigam, who bowls leg-spin, rose to the occasion and finished with 1-47. He trapped the dangerous right-handed opener Josh Phillipe (56 off 48 balls) plumb in front of the stumps, to halt the Aussie chase.Later, on the partnership with Shedge, Nigam said: “Our plan was to spend as much time at the crease as possible, because there wasn’t much batting left below us. We knew the wicket would not behave as well later on. So, our discussion was about batting for as long as possible and adding crucial runs.”For Shedge, the innings was another opportunity to underline his abilities, having claimed four wickets in the opening game of the series. The pair showed composure and attacking intent, recognising the need to spend time at the crease with little batting left below them.“In the one-day format, scoring some quick runs becomes very crucial in matches like these. So, I just try to do that,” Nigam said.India ‘A’ had made a quick start, with Prabhsimran Singh (39) and Priyansh Arya racing to a 50-run opening stand inside seven overs. However, Scott’s short-ball strategy accounted for Prabhsimran before Devdutt Padikkal’s disappointing series continued. The lefthander finished with just three runs across three innings.Priyansh (49) fell agonisingly short of a half-century, while Rajat Patidar (3) and Nishant Sindhu (5) departed cheaply. From 83 without loss, India ‘A’ slumped to 118-5. After skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad (33), too, was dismissed, it was left to Nigam and Shedge to set up the win.Brief scores:
- India ‘A’ 275 all out in 47.3 overs (S Shedge 66, P Arya 49, V Nigam 40; B Dwarshuis 3-38, W Sutherland 3-44, L Scott 2-27).
- Australia ‘A’ 226 all out in 46.2 overs (G Singh 3-56, Y Thakur 2-35, N Sindhu 2-42). India ‘A’ won by 49 runs.
