India discard Shikhar Dhawan roared back to form with a sublime 128 before pacer Dhawal Kulkarni picked up a hat-trick to help India ‘B’ beat India ‘A’ by 23 runs in the opening match of the Deodhar Trophy in Visakhapatnam on Saturday, PTI reported.
Dhawan, who is a eyeing a comeback in the Champions Trophy in June, helped India ‘B’ post 327/8 in 50 overs. The others who contributed to the competitive total were captain Parthiv Patel (50) and Jharkhand batsman Ishank Jaggi (53). Harbhajan Singh, who is leading India ‘A’, leaked 72 runs in the 10 overs he bowled on Saturday and failed to pick up a wicket.
In reply, India ‘A’ kept pace with the daunting total thanks to a gritty 92-run knock by Ambati Rayudu. His effort though went in vain as they were bowled out for 304 after pacer Dhawal Kulkarni pulled off a hat-trick to peg the opposition back. Ambidextrous spinner Akshay Karnewar also chipped in with three wickets.
Dhawan had entered the tournament on back of five low scores for Delhi in the recently-concluded Vjiay Hazare trophy. He delivered knowing the importance of the only 50-over domestic tournament to be played before the Champions Trophy in England. His 122-ball innings included 13 fours and three sixes.
Brief scores
- India ‘B’ 327/8 in 50 overs (Shikhar Dhawan 128; Siddharth Kaul 5/59) beat India ‘A’ 304 in 48.2 overs (Ambati Rayudu 92; Dhawal Kulkarni 3/64, Akshay Karnewar 3/60) by 23 runs.