India A’s middle-order batting troubled them again but then they just did enough to avoid a defeat and settle for a tie against New Zealand A via the Duckworth-Lewis method in the truncated second unofficial ODI match on Friday.
According to a report in The Indian Express, India A chasing a revised target of 241 in 48 overs after bad light halted proceedings, they wrapped up their innings for 240 for nine to tie the match and be 1-0 up in the three-match series after having won the lung-opener.
New Zealand A had made 249 for nine on the scoreboard but bad light forced the officials to revise the target for India at Bert Sutcliffe Oval.
Meanwhile, the Mid-Day says that electing to Kiwis got off to a bad start and lost two wickets with just 20 runs on the board. George Worker (61) and number four Neil Broom (82) shared a 149-run stand to rescue the hosts.
Worker hit seven boundaries while Broom struck nine fours and a six. Jaydev Unadkat was the wrecker in chief for India with figures of 4-47.
India started their chase on a steady note as with openers Unmukt Chand and Abhinav Mukund putting up an opening stand for 52.
After the first wicket Mukund (66) and Naman Ojha (62) joined hand and piled up a partnership of 99 runs. At one stage India were cruising at 150 for 1 but Mukund's departure in the 34th over triggered a collapse.
Barring Ambati Rayudu's unbeaten 46, not a single Indian lower midle-order batman could make a noteworthy contribution. The Indians seemed headed for a defeat but somehow managed to hang on for a tie after equalling the score.