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Ruturaj Gaikwad returned to form with a counter-attacking century in third unofficial Test against New Zealand A. After two disappointing scores of 21 and 5 in first two games, Gaikwad decided to take the offensive approach when he walked out to bat at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. He took on the Kiwi bowlers and scored his fifth First-Class ton on a day most batters failed.
First, Gaikwad shared a crucial partnership of 45 runs for the third wicket with Rajat Patidar. Matthew Fisher sent Patidar (30) back to the pavillion followed Sarfaraz Khan who bagged a two-ball duck. India A were in trouble having lost four wickets for 111 in 39 overs.
Gaikwad, Upendra Yadav rescued India A and helped them reach a respectable total. Gaikwad did not hold back his natural instinct to attack and scored as many as 12 fours and two sixes in his 108-run knock. He batted with a strike rate of 85.04.
In the third session, he got out to Joe Walker. Gaikwad and wicketkeeper-batter Upendra shared a 134-run partnership for the fifth wicket. He faced 127 a total of 127 deliveries to score 108 runs.
When Gaikwad lost his wicket, India A’s score was 245/5. After that, the hosts suffered a batting collapse and got all out for 293. Shardul Thakur could not provide the support Upendra needed and got out for a single-digit score. Soon enough, the Kanpur-born Upendra got out as well. The 25-year-old scored 76 runs from 134 deliveries including nine fours and two sixes.
For New Zealand A, Fisher turned out to be the standout bowler with four wickets in 14 overs he bowled. Jacob Duffy and Walker took two wickets each. Sean Solia and Rachin Ravindra bagged one wicket as well.
The third unofficial Test is the decider of three-match series. In the first two games, rain played spoilsport and they ended in draw.
