Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shubman Gill star as India 'A' thrash West Indies 'A' to clinch series 4-1

07/22/2019

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India 'A' openers Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad decimated the Windies bowlers as the duo helped India chase down a target of 237 in just 33 overs, while also sealing the series 4-1 in the process. Skipper Shreyas Iyer also struck a well made 61 to guide his team home, alongside Manish Pandey.

Indian openers Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad sent a timely reminder to the Indian selectors a day after the squad was announced, as they pummeled the West Indian bowlers to submission and seal a 4-1 series victory for the visitors. The duo added 110 runs for the first wicket in just 11.4 overs, with Gill scoring 69, and Gaikwad narrowly missing out on his century, falling short by just one run, as he was dismissed on 99.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, the Windies batters made a brisk start thanks to Sunil Ambris and Kjorn Ottley, as the duo added 77 runs for the first wicket, with Ambris scoring a well-made 61. However, a major collapse followed the opening stand as they lost their next seven wickets for just 47 runs, with all six Indian bowlers getting their names in the wickets column. All-rounders Sherane Rutherford and Khary Pierre then steadied the ship for the hosts, taking them to a fighting total of 236.

In response, Gill and Gaikwad blew the Windies bowlers out of the park, catching them off guard with their aggressive intent. After the duo's departure, Shreyas Iyer and Manish Pandey, who were earlier named in the Indian limited-overs squad on Sunday, guided the team home safely, as they completed a 4-1 series victory over the hosts.

The India 'A' will next take on the West Indies 'A' team in an unofficial 4-day Test match, which is set to begin on July 24 at Antigua.