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The Times of India
The Times of India
Sport
Manuja Veerappa | TNN

Gaikwad, Yadav rescue India 'A' against New Zealand 'A'

BENGALURU: Before the ongoing India 'A' and New Zealand 'A' series, Ruturaj Gaikwad had played 66 matches in two-and-a-half years. All of them were limited-over contests. The 25-year-old last featured in a red-ball match in February 2020, turning out for Maharashtra against Uttarakhand in Ranji Trophy.

In the intervening period he earned his T20 India cap. Finding it tough to switch between formats, Gaikwad scored a mere 26 runs (21 & 5) in two innings in the first two matches of the current series. The turnaround came on the opening day of the final four-day match here on Thursday when he not only struck form with his fifth first-class century but also bailed out a precariously placed home team after walking in to bat at 66/2.

Opting to bat, Gaikwad's 127-ball 108 (12x4; 2x6) was the cornerstone of India 'A's total of 293 in 86.4 overs. Wicketkeeper batsman Upendra Yadav contributed 76 (134b; 9x4; 2x6) and shared a 134-run association with Gaikwad for the fifth wicket. Earlier, openers Priyank Panchal (5) and Abhimanyu Easwaran (38) were unhurried, but Matthew Fisher (4/ 52) ended the former's resistance.

Rajat Patidar (30) looked in fine nick and had hooked a short ball from Fisher for a maximum, but he needlessly chased the next delivery which was wide outside off and handed a catch to wicketkeeper Dane Cleaver. Sarfaraz Khan (0) too was guilty of throwing away his wicket, jabbing at a short ball by Fisher, which was pouched by Cleaver. Gaikwad and Yadav complemented each other. While Gaikwad went for his shots, Yadav waited for the loose balls to punish the bowlers. Gaikwad brought up his century in 114 balls before he was caught behind while attempting to steer a Joe Walker.

'STAYED FOCUSED'

On returning to red-ball cricket and the adjustments needed, Gaikwad said, "Mentally and technically, I was not up to the mark in the first two matches but I stayed more focused and aware of what I have to do in this match. Playing so much of T20 cricket, you change a lot according to the demands of the game. India now plays carefree cricket where you have to take lots of risks and play aggressively. I think it is a massive difference playing red-ball cricket after so long."

Brief scores: India 'A': 293 all out in 86. 4 overs (Abhimanyu Easwaran 38, Ruturaj Gaikwad 108, Rajat Patidar 30, Upendra Yadav 76; Jacob Duffy 2-56, Matthew Fisher 4-52, Joe Walker 2-65) vs New Zealand 'A'

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