Ashok Menaria's all round performance helps India A go 2-0 up against New Zealand A

Unmukt Chand continued his good run of form

Ashok Menaria picked up five wickets to restrict New Zealand A to a modest total of 216 and scored an unbeaten 37 to help India A complete an easy six-wicket victory in the second unofficial ODI at Vishakapatnam.

New Zealand A put into bat first by Indian Captain Unmukt Chand, lost their openers early into the game with Dhawal Kulkarni accounting for both of them. Anton Devcich was the first one to be dismissed, caught behind attempting a rash shot outside off while Luke Ronchi, failing to make use of a good start was declared LBW after a 32-ball 34, missing a straight delivery from the fast bowler.

The visitors continued to lose wickets at regular wickets with Ashok Menaria running through the middle order. The left-arm spinner managed to pick up five wickets to his name, courtesy of some tight bowling complemented by some poor choice of shots by the New Zealand batsmen.

However, Carl Cachopa made sure that the Kiwis had something to bowl at with a determined 80 off 103 deliveries, helping his team set a target of 217. Sandeep Sharma and Basant Mohanty, picking up one wicket each, cleaned up the tail with 2.4 more overs remaining.

In reply, Mark Gillespie gave some hope for the visitors striking twice to send back both Robin Uthappa, who failed to make use of the early reprieve in the first over, and Aditya Tare in quick succession. With the score at 44/2 in 8.4 overs, Unmukt Chand (59 off 71) and Mandeep Singh (59 off 69) combined to put together a partnership of 89 in the next 17.1 overs to take New Zealand completely out of the game.

By the time both of them were dismissed, they had gone past their half-centuries and made sure that India would reach the finish-line without any hassles. Kedar Jadhav and Menaria, remaining unbeaten on 30 and 37 respectively, chased down the target in just 38.5 overs with ease.