Prabhsimran's ton powers India A to series-clinching win

Prabhsimran Singh blasted a 68-ball 102 as India A chased down Australia A's total of 317 to secure a 2-wicket win in the third unofficial ODI in Kanpur, to win the series 2-1.

Electing to bat, Australia were pushed on the back foot early, courtesy the strikes of Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, which had reduced the visitors to 26 for 3 by the sixth over. Lachlan Hearne promised to revive the innings in the company of Cooper Connolly, but he too fell to Rana after a brief 20-run stand.

However, Connolly stroked a brisk 49-ball 64, a counter-attacking innings which included four sixes, to bail Australia A out of a precarious situation. India struck back dismissing both the set batters - after their 69-run stand - in quick succession to again leave the opposition reeling at 135 for 6.

However, Liam Scott and Jack Edwards ensured the side's revival to a healthy score courtesy their respective half-centuries. Both scored at a brisk pace and stitched a 152-run partnership which allowed Australia to get past the 300-run mark.

However, Prabhsimran's early blitz ensured that the hosts were never behind the eight-ball. Even before Abhishek Sharma could get into the groove, Prabsimran's early assault had helped the openers race to 83 before the first wicket fell in the 12th over. Australia dismissed Abhishek and Tilak Varma in quick succession, but well-paced half-centuries by Shreyas Iyer and Riyan Parag ensured that India A were never really pushed on the backfoot.

Iyer added a 56-run stand with Prabhsimran before stitching a century partnership with Parag. However, Australia A made a competitive fightback with Sangha dismissing both the set batters and triggering a mini collapse. Todd Murphy added to India A's worries with a brace, but Vipraj Nigam's unbeaten 24 helped the hosts over the line with four overs to spare.

Brief Scores: Australia A 317 in 50 overs (Jack Edwards 89, Liam Scott 73; Arshdeep Singh 3-38, Harshit Rana 3-61) lost to India A 322/8 in 46 overs (Prabhsimran Singh 102, Shreyas Iyer 62, Riyan Parag 62; Todd Murphy 4-46, Tanveer Sangha 4-72) by 2 wickets.