Sanju Samson blitzkrieg sets up win for India 'A'

Sanju Samson was declared man of the match for his blistering 91. Photo: KCA

Thiruvananthapuram: Local hero Sanju Samson's quickfire 91 set up a 36-run win for India 'A' in the fifth and final unofficial One-Day International against South Africa 'A' at the Greenfield International Stadium here on Friday. The home side thus completed a 4-1 win in the series.

Sanju, who was promoted to No. 3, made amends for his failure in the previous game as he smashed 91 off just 48 balls. His whirlwind knock contained six fours and seven sixes.

Man-of-the-match Sanju added 135 runs for the second wicket in the company of Shikhar Dhawan (51) after India 'A' elected to bat.

The left-handed Dhawan notched up his second consecutive fifty. He made 51 off 36 balls, with the help of five fours and two sixes.

The victorious India 'A' team. Photo: KCA

Captain Shreyas Iyer hit 36 off 19 balls as the hosts ended up with an imposing 204/4 in 20 overs on another rain-hit day.

The South Africans were bowled out for 168 in reply. Opener Reeza Hendricks top-scored with 59 while Kyle Verreynne made 44.

Shardul Thakur (3/9) was the pick of the India 'A' bowlers, while offie Washington Sundar claimed 2/39.

Sanju donated the match fee he earned for the two games in the series to the groundsman and support staff.

Brief scores: India 'A' 204/4 in 20 overs (Sanju Samson 91, Shikhar Dhawan 51; Beuran Hendricks 2/29) bt South Africa 'A' 168 all out in 20 overs (Reeza Hendricks 59, Kyle Verreynne 44; Shardul Thakur 3/9).

The comments posted here/below/in the given space are not on behalf of Onmanorama. The person posting the comment will be in sole ownership of its responsibility. According to the central government's IT rules, obscene or offensive statement made against a person, religion, community or nation is a punishable offense, and legal action would be taken against people who indulge in such activities.