In-form Unmukt Chand smashed a fine century to guide India A to a competitive 282 against West Indies in their second and final warm up match at the Wankhede Stadium here today.
The Delhi lad continued his rich form and made a stroke filled 101 off 111 deliveries. His 192 minutes stay at the crease yielded eight fours and three sixes.
The visitors, however, wrested back the momentum with some good bowling towards the later stages of the innings by picking up quick wickets to restrict India A to 282, who looked on course to post a score in excess of 300.
Opting to bat, opener Murali Vijay looked in good touch and made a 22-ball 21. His innings was laced with four fours before he was caught behind while trying to slash a Jason Holder delivery.
Chand, who scored an unbeaten 79 in the previous match, looked a bit tentative initially but later on unleashed a flurry of boundaries.
He was ably supported by 22-year old Karun Nair and the duo stitched a 124-ball 149 run stand for the second wicket.
The two youngsters sent the bowlers on a leather hunt as they carted them all over the park.
Nair made 64 off 63 balls that was laced with four sixes and an equal number of fours. He was caught at backward point off Kemar Roach.
Skipper Manoj Tiwary stay's didn't last long as he departed for seven off 11 balls, comprising a six. He was caught behind off Taylor.
Talented wicket-keeper batsman Sanju Samson too could not contribute much and he was caught behind 22 runs later with India A scoreboard reading 202 for four. Samson scored five off 17 deliveries.
Chand capitalised on a reprieve given to him when he was on 94 to score the century. The 21-year old was dropped by Kemar Roach at short-fine leg off Ravi Rampaul. His knock ended when he was castled by a yorker from Taylor.
India A started losing wickets at regular intervals and couldn't forge meaningful partnerships towards the end.
Gurkeerat Singh Mann and Stuart Binny chipped with 20 and 15-run knocks respectively.
Taylor was the pick of the bowler for West Indies with three wickets for 51 runs, while Rampaul, Roach and Kieron Pollard grabbed two wickets a piece.
For the West Indies side, Lendl Simmons, who has a back problem was replaced by Jermaine Blackwood, while it was interesting to see coach Stuart Williams as a part of the playing XI in place of Darren Bravo.
Brief Score:
India A: 282 all out in 48.1 overs (Unmukt Chand 101, Karun Nair 64; Jerome Taylor 3/51).
