The Indian cricketing fandom’s attention was on the 3 match One Day International series against Australia, in which Team India marvellously recovered from the opening defeat into sealing a 2-1 victory. Along with it, the India A team took on the New Zealand A squad today in their 1st unofficial ODI, and the two names that have gathered attention from the face off are Prithvi Shaw and Sanju Samson, who have have earned a place in the Indian squad that will be facing the Kiwis in the upcoming ODI series next month. And how do they commemorate the achievement? Going fierce against the hosts at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval!
Chasing a target of 231 in the second innings, India A started off with a blistering knock from Prithvi Shaw. The 20 year old, who recently dazzled with a mouth watering 150-off-100 in last week’s New Zealand XI match, scored a stormy 48 runs from 35 balls, including five fours and three sixes.
The 20 year old, who was out of playtime for 8 months following a dope ban, had a stout comeback in Ranji back in December. The Dehli Capitals player is selected to replace his Indian Premier League teammate Shikhar Dhawan for the opening spot.
Coming back to international duty after a gap of almost a year and half, Prithvi made his two red ball appearances for the national squad in the West Indies Test series back in 2018.
Following a gap of 5 years from international duty, Sanju Samson was called up for the squad in early January for the T20 series against Sri Lanka. The 25 year old Keralite produced a swift 39 runs off 21 balls, with three boundaries and two over boundaries. The Men in Blues had won the match with 5 wickets remaining.
The Rajasthan Royals wicket keeper made his international T20 debut back in 2015 against Zimbabwe, and has made appearance for the Indian squad twice.
Before taking on the Black Caps in the ODIs, Prithvi and Samson still have two matches left in the unofficial ODI series on this Friday and Sunday in Christchurch.
Following Team India’s 5 match T20 series against New Zealand starting this Friday and into the month of February, the 3 match ODI series will be kicking off at the Seddon Park cricket ground on 5th February.
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Swashbuckling ton from Prithvi Shaw puts Indian team on notice!
