Rajkot: India B beat India A by a massive 139 runs margin to win the NKP Salve Challenger Trophy here at the Khanderi Stadium on Tuesday.
Opting to bat first, India B rode on knocks from Murali Vijay and skipper Cheteswar Pujara to put up an improbable 356-3 on the board. In reply, India A never could get going and were bowled out for 217.
Murali Vijay came out to open the innings in absence of S Annirudha along with young Baba Aparajith stitched an opening partnership of 68. Aparajith’s wicket brought Cheteswar Pujara to the crease and along with Vijay, ran riot in the middle.
Vijay fresh from his double century in the Irani Trophy against Rajasthan was in his elements and played brutally. He middle almost everything and sent India B bowlers to leatherhunt.
Meanwhile Pujara started off on a steady note but upped the tempo very soon. Vijay scored 155 off 121 deliveries which included 18 fours and five sixes whereas Pujara belted 79 off 80 balls laced with eight boundaries.
In reply, India A never looked actually got into the match and submitted to the opposition’s bowling attack very meekly.
Shikhar Dhawan (61) and Ajinkya Rahane (64) were the only contributors for the India A.
Brief scores:
India ‘B’ 356/3 in 50 overs (M Vijay 155, C Pujara 79*, K Jadhav 60*)
India ‘A’ 217/10 in 42.1 overs (A Rahane 64, S Dhawan 61; S Binny 3/26, R Jadeja 2/37, B Aparajith 2/38)
By Indian Sports News Network
