Twitter Reactions: India A ride on Iyer's majestic ton to thump hosts in tri-series finals

Riding on a phenomenal effort from middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer, team India A registered an emphatic win in the finals of the tri-series in South Africa. The tri-series, that involved Afghanistan as the third team, saw the Indian side lock horns with the hosts – South Africa A – in the ultimate game of the series. India A were undoubtedly the most impactful side in the tournament and had lost only once in the pre-final stages.

They continued their dominance in the final game as well to finish off the tour as the eventual champions. They beat South Africa A by 7 wickets in the final. Chasing a total of 268 for the win, the Indian camp was in a spot of bother with both the openers back in the hut with only 20 runs on the board. However, it was the middle-order that proved to be the winning joint for the men in blue.

Vijay Shankar and Shreyas Iyer paraded along to stitch a magnificent 141 run stand to put India A in firm command of the game. While Shankar was unfortunate to have missed out on a century, Iyer batted along the finishline to remain unbeaten on 140. His knock came off just 131 deliveries with 11 fours and 4 sixes. Shankar had earlier scored 72 off 86 deliveries with 9 fours to his name.

Skipper Manish Pandey scored an unbeaten 32 towards the end to see his side get over the line with 7 wickets in hand. Earlier in the game, Indian new ball bowlers – Shardul Thakur and Siddarth Kaul – had rocked the Proteas top order with quick strikes. At 115/5, the South African side were in deep trouble.

However, a fifty from Dwaine Pretorius and an unbeaten ton from Farhaan Behardien thereafter helped them post a decent total of 267 on the board in their stipulated 50 overs. The victory of the Indian side has surely been appreciated. They received well wishes on the social media.

Here is how the Twitterati reacted to India A’s thumping win: