India 'A' batsmen faltered when it mattered most as they were dismissed for a modest 243 in 49.2 overs against Australia 'A' in the final match of the tri-series involving 'A' teams here today.
Despite half-centuries from Shikhar Dhawan (62) and Dinesh Karthik (73), India didn't even cross 250-run-mark due to the failure of the middle-order as the last five wickets fell for only 14 runs. India were decently placed at 229 for five at the end of 44th over before the slide began.
Australian seamers Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Henriques, who have troubled the Indian batsmen throughout this series again did a commendable job during the death overs.
Hazlewood (3/31 from 10 overs) and Coulter-Nile (3/35 from 9.2 overs) were the pick of the bowlers with three wickets each, while all-rounder Henriques (2/47 from 10 overs) kept things tight in the middle overs.
Dhawan, who scored 248 in the last match against South Africa 'A' again started off well but managed only 62 off 65 balls -- certainly far less than the benchmark he has set for himself. His innings contained nine boundaries with some flowing cover drives and a few delightful strokes on the on-side as well.
Karthik, who hasn't got a decent hit in the tourney so far was impressive in his 75-ball-73 which had 10 boundaries.
Karthik-Dhawan duo put on a 108-run stand for the third wicket from only 18.2 overs as they helped consolidate the team's position after they were reduced to 34 for two at one stage losing Rohit Sharma and skipper Cheteshwar Pujara.
Just when it seemed that India would post another 300-plus total, Henriques induced an outside edge from Dhawan's blade which was taken by glovesman Tim Paine.
Karthik was then castled by Coultier-Nile as he played away from his body.
Ambati Rayudu (34) and Wriddhiman Saha (31), playing his first match in the tournament, shared a 63-run stand together for the sixth wicket stand but they could never dominate the bowling as it took them almost 13 overs. But after Hazlewood breached Rayudu's defence, the others couldn't show any stomach for fight.
