The Indian Emerging Players side romped to a seven-wicket victory against the Australian Institute of Sport here at the Fred Kratzman Oval in Brisbane. It was the bowlers, led by R Vinay Kumar and Shikhar Dhawan, who set up India’s big win on the day.
Batting first, the Australian Institute of Sport were bowled out for a paltry score of 99 in just 28.5 overs. Vinay Kumar took three top-order wickets and was complemented in his effort by Umesh Yadav who took two for 26 in his four overs. Left-arm spinner Bhargav Bhatt and Shikhar Dhawan then ran through the lower order, with Dhawan taking three wickets, to bowl out AIS for 99.
The Indian Emerging Players, in reply, chased down that score in just 18.5 overs. The foundation for India’s run chase was laid by an excellent 70-run opening stand between Anirudha Srikkanth (32) and Ajinkya Rahane (37) in just 9.1 overs. The Indian side lost both their openers eventually with Manish Pandey being the third casualty in the Indian innings but Ambati Rayudu (14*) and Ashok Menaria (1*) saw India home with seven wickets to spare and 31.1 overs still left in the game.
The Indian Emerging Players have now won three of their four matches in the tournament which features sides from South Africa and New Zealand as well. India next play the South Africa Emerging Players side in a three-day game which begins from the first of August at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane.
