Calm and composed: Kushagra notched up a stylish half-century.
| Photo Credit: SLC
India-A all but sealed a place in the tri-nation series final with a commanding 101-run win over Afghanistan-A at the Rangiri International Stadium on Wednesday, thanks to a composed knock from Kumar Kushagra and a disciplined bowling effort.Asked to bat, India-A recovered from a wobble to post 319 for nine. Half-centuries from Priyansh Arya (58, 42b, 9x4, 1x6), skipper Tilak Varma (59, 75b, 5x4) and Kushagra (58, 67b, 5x4) formed the backbone of the innings, with the 104-run fourth-wicket stand between Tilak and Kushagra proving decisive.The changes to the XI paid off immediately. Priyansh, drafted in for Prabhsimran Singh, continued his impressive run at the top, while Kushagra justified his inclusion ahead of Ayush Badoni.Vaibhav Sooryavanshi once again got a start but failed to convert it despite surviving a couple of chances. Ruturaj Gaikwad looked fluent before edging Abdollah Ahmadzai behind.When wickets fell in quick succession, Kushagra remained calm and assured, rebuilding the innings alongside Tilak. The pair wrestled back control before Vipraj Nigam added late impetus with a brisk 30 off 20 balls to take India-A past 300.
