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India A began their T20 World Cup warm-up campaign with a commanding yet competitive victory over the United States, overcoming a spirited chase to win by 38 runs after posting a formidable total of 238 runs at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

The contest, though officially a warm-up fixture, unfolded with the intensity and drama of a full-fledged international encounter. India A’s powerful batting display, highlighted by a rapid century from Narayan Jagadeesan and a composed half-century from captain Ayush Badoni, set the tone early. In response, the USA showed remarkable intent and depth in batting, mounting a determined chase that kept India A’s bowlers under pressure until the latter stages of the innings. The match also marked a significant moment with Tilak Varma making a successful return from injury, adding further positives for the Indian camp ahead of the main tournament.

Explosive batting display and Tilak Varma’s confident comeback

India A’s innings began aggressively, with openers setting the tempo from the very first over. Priyansh Arya launched an early assault on the USA bowlers, striking freely and ensuring the run rate climbed rapidly during the powerplay. His brief but impactful stay at the crease gave early momentum, even as he departed soon after contributing valuable quick runs.

At the other end, Narayan Jagadeesan anchored the innings with authority and fluency. Displaying a wide range of strokes, Jagadeesan combined timing with placement to keep the scoreboard ticking. He reached his half-century in just 27 balls and showed no signs of slowing down, seamlessly transitioning into acceleration mode. His century, brought up in only 49 deliveries, was a statement of intent and a reminder of his ability to dominate bowling attacks in the shortest format.

After Jagadeesan’s dismissal, India A continued to build pressure through calculated aggression. Tilak Varma, returning to competitive cricket after recovering from a groin injury sustained during the Vijay Hazare Trophy, played a crucial supporting role. Rather than forcing the pace immediately, Tilak chose his moments, rotating the strike effectively and punishing loose deliveries. His 38 runs came at a strike rate of 158, featuring crisp boundaries that underlined his fitness and confidence on comeback. The innings was particularly encouraging given his recent absence and the cautious approach adopted to ensure a full recovery.

The responsibility of finishing the innings fell on captain Ayush Badoni, who led from the front with a mature and well-paced knock. Badoni’s unbeaten 60 ensured that India A crossed the 200-run mark with overs to spare. His ability to find gaps, clear the ropes when required, and manage the tail highlighted his growing stature as a dependable middle-order batter. By the end of the 20 overs, India A had amassed a daunting 238, setting the USA a steep target of 239.

The innings also saw the return of pace sensation Mayank Yadav to competitive cricket after a lengthy break. Although he did not get the opportunity to bat, his presence in the squad added to the sense of depth and readiness within the Indian camp.

USA’s spirited chase and India A’s bowling response

Chasing an imposing total, the USA entered the second innings with clear intent, refusing to treat the match as a mere warm-up. Their top order responded positively, with Andries Gous leading the charge. Gous played a composed yet aggressive knock of 44 runs off 31 balls, providing the foundation for what turned into a surprisingly competitive chase.

As the required run rate climbed, USA’s middle order stepped up to keep hopes alive. Shubham Ranjane and Harmeet Singh both contributed brisk cameos, injecting momentum with fearless strokeplay. Mohammad Mohsin’s quick runs further reduced the pressure momentarily, as India A’s bowlers struggled to contain the flow of boundaries.

The standout performance in the chase, however, came from Sanjay Krishnamurthi, whose explosive 41 off just 18 deliveries briefly tilted the contest. His clean striking and innovative shot selection brought the crowd to life and forced India A to reassess their bowling plans. For a phase of the innings, the USA looked capable of pulling off a remarkable chase, underlining their growing competitiveness on the international stage.

India A eventually regained control through disciplined bowling and timely breakthroughs. Ravi Bishnoi emerged as the leading wicket-taker, claiming three crucial wickets and breaking key partnerships. Despite conceding runs at a brisk pace, his ability to strike at important moments proved decisive. Support came from Naman Dhir and Khaleel Ahmed, who picked up two wickets each, while Ashok Sharma, Tilak Varma and Ayush Badoni chipped in with one wicket apiece.

As wickets fell in quick succession, the USA’s momentum stalled, and the chase eventually ended at 200 runs in 19.4 overs. Although they fell short by 38 runs, the USA’s performance drew praise for its intent, depth and resilience against a strong Indian side.

The match served as a valuable exercise for both teams ahead of the T20 World Cup. For India A, the positives included a dominant batting display, successful injury comebacks, and the ability to defend a large total under pressure. For the USA, the spirited chase offered encouragement and highlighted the progress they have made in adapting to high-intensity international contests.

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