India A inch closer towards win over WI A in 2nd unofficial Test

Openers Mayank Agarwal and Priyank Panchal struck fine half-centuries as India A inched closer towards registering a comfortable win over West Indies A in the second unofficial Test here on Saturday.

Chasing 278 for a 2-0 lead in the series, Agarwal made 81 off 134 balls while Panchal scored 68 off 121 deliveries as India were 33 runs shy off the target at lunch on the final day of the four-day match.

Agarwal and Panchal shared 150 runs for the opening stand to set the platform for India A's chase.

Besides, Abhimanyu Easwaran was batting on 47 in the company of Anmolpreet Singh (30 not out) as India A didn't lose any wicket in the first session.

Chemar Holder picked up two wickets for 51 runs for West Indies A till the break.

India A resumed the final day at 185 for three.

Earlier, off-spinner Krishnappa Gowtham took five wickets and foxed the opposition batsmen as West Indies A were bowled for 149 in the second innings after starting the day at 12 for four on Friday.

The visitors would have liked to end the day on a better note after losing three wickets for 28 runs in the last hour of the evening session.

Panchal and Test opener Agarwal had put India A in strong position before departing in quick succession.

Captain Hanuma Vihari (1) was the last wicket to fall on Friday, giving West Indies a glimmer of hope.

West Indies A had started the day at 12 for four but overnight batsmen Sunil Ambris (71) and Jermaine Blackwood (31) ensured that they cross the three-figure mark, as the hosts took lunch at 107 for seven.

Shivam Dube broke their stand by dismissing Blackwood and then Gowtham removed Shane Dowrich (5) and Raymon Reifer (0).

On Thursday, India A's first innings folded for 190, a total they owed to Dube (79 off 85) and opener Priyank Panchal (58 off 125). They shared a 124-run stand for the sixth wicket after the batting collapse.

India A lead the series 1-0.