London: India A completed their domination in the 50-over tri-series with a five-wicket thumping of England Lions in the final at the Oval here, Monday.
It was yet another complete performance from the Indians, who restricted the Lions to 264 for nine before breezing to the target in 48.2 overs courtesy Rishabh Pant (64 n o, 62b, 8×4, 1×6), Mayank Agarwal (40, 41b, 7×4), captain Shreyas Iyer (44, 44b, 2×4, 1×6) and all-rounder Krunal Pandya (34 n o, 37b, 4×4, 1×6).
The pace trio of Shardul Thakur (2/42), Deepak Chahar (3/58) and Khaleel Ahmed (3/48) had brought back India A in the game after Lions were comfortably placed at 185 for two in the 34th over.
Sam Hain’s (108, 122b, 8×4, 1×6) century went in vain and so did the effort of Liam Livingstone (83, 82b, 4×4, 5×6). The duo put on 152 runs for the third wicket after their side were reduced to 33/2 in the ninth over.
India A never looked back after losing the tri-series opener to Lions. They then defeated the hosts once and West Indies A twice to enter the finals.
While Pant starred in the all-important final, the undisputed batsman of the series was Agarwal who scored three centuries in the competition.
Brief scores
England Lions 264/9 (Sam Hain 108, Liam Livingstone 83; Khaleel Ahmed 3/48, Deepak Chahar 3/58) lost to India A 267/5 in 48.2 overs (Rishabh Pant 64 n o, Shreyas Iyer 44; Liam Dawson 2/37) by five wickets.