Rohit Sharma, Manish Pandey Lift India A to Victory With Impressive Tons in Warm-up Tie

Centuries from a fit-again Rohit Sharma and Manish Pandey helped India A register a thumping 88-run win over Sri Lanka in their first warm-up match at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. India A posted a mammoth total of 382/6 and restricted Sri Lanka to 294/9, winning the game by 88 runs.

Playing his first match after recovering from a fractured finger and shoulder injury, Rohit cracked a brilliant 111-ball 142 but was run out.

Invited to bat, India A scored runs at a brisk pace, with the openers -- Rohit and Unmukt Chand -- carting the bowlers all over the park. The team posted a score of 72 in the first 10 overs. Rohit dominated the proceedings initially but Chand too upped the ante and raced past his opening partner.

The former under-19 World Cup winning captain continued with his rich vein of form having previously scored an unbeaten 79 and 101 against the West Indies earlier this month. The Delhi batsman struck eight fours and a six in his 39-ball 52 before being caught behind by Kumar Sangakkara off Lahiru Gamage.

Rohit, who was on 36 when Chand departed, forged a 214-run partnership with Manish Pandey. The duo remained aggressive, sending the bowlers on a leather hunt. Rohit playing after a two-month injury layoff showed no signs of discomfort and took to the attack from the start.

The 27-year-old's scintillating knock was laced with 18 fours and a six that included some beautiful cover drives, before he was run out in the 41st over. The Mumbai batsman fell short of his crease while trying to steal a second when a direct hit from Lahiru Gamage found the target.

The 25-year-old Karnataka batsman Pandey, however, remained undeterred and notched up an unbeaten 113-ball 135.

His brilliant knock included 15 fours and a six, while skipper Manoj Tiwary chipped in with a cameo of 36 comprising two sixes and as many fours.

After putting up a solid display, India A lost three quick wickets in the penultimate over but it did not cause much worry as by then, the batsmen had already dented the Lankan bowling attack. The island nation opted to give a chance to all their 15 members and utilised the services of as many as 10 players in the bowling department.

The visitors replaced Sangakkara after 26 overs and Kusal Perera took his place behind the stumps. It was a bad day for the Lankan bowling outfit but Dhammika Prasad was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 57, while Gamage bagged one.

Chasing a daunting total, Sri Lankan opener Upul Tharanga started well but wickets at regular intervals foiled their chase. Indian leg spinner Karn Sharma was the chief-tormentor, finishing with figures of 4/47 while medium pacer Dhawal Kulkarni bagged two wickets.

The five-match ODI series begins on November 2 with the first game in Cuttack.

Brief Score: India A 382/6 in 50 overs (Rohit Sharma 142, Manish Pandey 135 not out; Dhammika Prasad 3 for 57, Lahiru Gamage 2 for 41) beat Sri Lankans 294/9 (Upul Tharanga 76, Kumar Sangakkara 34; Karn Sharma 4/47, Dhawal Kulkarni 2/41) by 88 runs.

(With inputs from PTI)