Australia A fall at final hurdle in Chennai

India A have won the tri-series final in Chennai by four wickets, defeating previously unbeaten Australia A with 39 balls remaining.

The Australians dominated the tournament, winning their four matches in style, but failed to deliver in the decider, posting a disappointing 9-226 from their 50 overs after winning the toss – a target India A managed to reach after the occasional nervous moment.

Gurkeerat Singh was the star for the home side, making an unbeaten 87 to guide his team to victory in the 44th over.

"We played beautiful cricket, we were consistently the best team here but not today,” said Australia A skipper Usman Khawaja.

“In these sorts of tournaments, if you don't win the final, you don't get the trophy. The wicket was a bit two-paced today."

The in-form Khawaja was again top-scorer for Australia A, making 76 from 88 at the top of the order as he and Joe Burns (41 off 46) took the score to 82 in the 14th over.

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Khawaja continued his fine form // BCCI

Travis Head (20) and Khawaja took the score to 2-138 in the 27th over but that was as good as it got for the Australians, who could manage only 62 from their final 15 overs.

Leg-spinner Karn Sharma was the pick of the Indian bowlers, claiming 3-37 from 10 overs.

The success of the spinners continued when Ashton Agar continued his outstanding form in claiming two early wickets to give the Australians a sniff, and with the score at 6-142 the match was in the balance.

Enter Gurkeerat, who expertly negotiated the remainder of the chase in conjunction with Sanju Samson (27no), hitting four, six, six from the final three deliveries to hand the Indians the trophy.