Cheteshwar Pujara took a huge step towards Test selection as he added 73 with No 10 Shami Ahmed to take India A to a thrilling win in the first unofficial Test, at Kensington Oval. Pujara's unbeaten 96 was the highest score in all four innings of the match, and more than thrice the next best effort by an Indian in the final innings. An equally-impressive performer, the 6'7" tall Jason Holder, playing at his home ground, ended up on the losing side despite registering his third five-for in his 15th first-class match. His effort reduced India A to 115 for 8 in a chase of 186. It might have been an unofficial Test, but the qualities that make Test cricket special were all on display.
Two teams full of young men hoping to represent their Test sides went into the final day with all three results possible, and three rain interruptions brought a draw into the picture too. In fact when the players went off the third time, in the last hour of the day, with India A needing 20 runs, it seemed the sides would have to settle for a draw. India A would have been glad they got a chance to come out to finish the game off, but not long ago they would have happily taken that draw when rain interrupted on the first two occasions. When the clouds opened up for the first time, during the lunch break, all three West Indies A quicks had taken a wicket each to add to their overnight effort of 22 for 3. And in a tense morning session, they had conceded just 55 runs. (CMC)
Scoreboard
WEST INDIES A 1st Innings 252
INDIA A 1st Innings 277
WEST INDIES A 2nd Innings 210
INDIA A 2nd Innings (target: 186)
(overnight 22 for three)
S Dhawan b D Johnson 13
A Mukund c Carter b Holder 0
A Rahane b Holder 5
Rahul Sharma c Pagon b D Johnson 3
C Pujara not out 96
Rohit Sharma c wkp Thomas b Carter 23
M Tiwary b Holder 5
+W Saha c Bonner b Holder 3
B Kumar b Holder 5
S Ahmed not out 27
Extras (b1, lb4, w1, nb2) 8
TOTAL (8 wkts, 74.3 overs) 188
Did not bat: A Dinda.
Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-12, 3-15, 4-24, 5-68, 6-77, 7-95, 8-115.
Bowling: D Johnson 21-4-62-2, Holder 27-8-55-5, Permaul 13-6-12-0, Carter 10.3-1-43-1, Bishoo 2-0-8-0, Bonner 1-0-3-0.
Result: India won by two wickets.
Series: India A lead three-match series 1-0.
Man-of-the-Match: Cheteshwar Pujara.
Toss: India A.
Umpires: Gregory Brathwaite, Joel Wilson.