An emerging talent on the domestic circuit, B. Aparajith, who came in place of Unmukt Chand in the final one-dayer against the West Indies A on Thursday, was a revelation of sorts.
Calm and composed, he waited for his opportunities and found the gaps to notch up a fine 78. Using his footwork craftily especially against the spinners, the 19-year-old Chennai lad did not give it to pressure and distractions, even when play was surprisingly stopped during India ‘A’s chase for a few minutes to allow the spectators to settle down!
The fact that Mandeep Singh, who fractured his finger while fielding could not take to the field, hurt India’s chances a bit, but the youngster gave it his all. “I wanted to just be myself and wanted to stay as long as possible in the middle. I was of course nervous to begin with,” said Aparajith. On his 112-run partnership with senior pro Yuvraj Singh, the Chennai Super Kings’ recruit said, “I was playing with Yuvraj for the first time. He made it easy as I just had to rotate strike.
Meanwhile, West Indies A, who bounced back to win the series after heavily losing the opening encounter, were overjoyed. “In the first match we got to watch the Indians and formed our strategies. We then went out and executed it,’” said skipper Kieran Powell. The action shifts to the four-day arena with the Cheteshwar Pujara-led India A taking on the visitors in the first of the three games, at Mysore from Wednesday.