DHAWAN GUIDES INDIA ‘B’ TO 27-RUN VICTORY IN DEODHAR

Vizag, March 25: Discarded opener Shikhar Dhawan roared back to form with a sublime 128 as India B beat India A by 23 runs in the opening match of the Deodhar Trophy tournament, here on Saturday.

Dhawan, who is a eyeing a comeback in the Champions Trophy in June, helped India B post 327 for eight in 50 overs.

The others who contributed to the competitive total were captain Parthiv Patel (50) and

Jharkhand batsman Ishank Jaggi (53).

India B put up an allaround effort with the ball to bundle out India A for 304 in 48.2 overs as Ambati Rayudu's 92 went in vain. Pacer Dhawal Kulkarni and ambidextrous spinner Akshay Karnewar stood out for India B, taking three wickets each.

The day belonged to Dhawan, who had come into the tournament at the back of five low scores. — PTI

Brief scores: India B 327/8 in 50 overs (Dhawan 128; Siddharth Kaul 5/59) vs India A 304 in 48.2 overs (Rayudu 92).

— MURALI KRISHNA Shikhar Dhawan en route to his century.