Iyer slams century to power India 'A' to tri-series title

Mumbai batsman Shreyas Iyer delivered when it mattered most as India 'A' outplayed South Africa 'A' by seven wickets in Pretoria to retain the tri-series trophy they won four years ago.

Iyer roared back to form with a splendid innings of 140 not out from 131 balls, as he anchored the chase alongside Tamil Nadu captain Vijay Shankar (72) to guide India 'A' to victory in 46.5 overs

Earlier, South Africa 'A' recovered to post a competitive 267 for seven after losing half of their side for 115 in the 28th over.

South Africa senior international Farhaan Behardien struck an unbeaten 101 off 114 balls, which eventually went in vain. Dewald Pretorious too played a role in his team's recovery scoring 58 off 61 balls.

India 'A' captain Manish Pandey took his team past the finishing line with an unbeaten innings of 32.

With scores of 93 not out, 86 not out, 41 not out and 55 in the round robin stage, Pandey is set to return to the India's limited overs side for the Sri Lanka series later this month after not being part of the West Indies tour due to injury.

Both India 'A' and South Africa 'A' had played each other twice in the league stage with either team sharing the spoils.

Chasing 268, India 'A' lost Karun Nair and Sanju Samson early with pacer Junior Dala removing the openers.

Iyer and Shankar rallied the visitors as they shared a 141-run stand for the third wicket to set. The Mumbai right-hander, who had scores of 0 and 9 in the earlier games against South Africa 'A', was on song in the title clash smashing 11 boundaries and four sixes.

He completed his century in grand style with a six and also hit the winning boundary.

Among the India 'A' bowlers, Shardul Thakur struck thrice while fellow pacer Siddarth Kaul took a couple of wickets after Pandey opted to put the opposition in.

Image: Shreyas Iyer

Photograph: PTI