Dhawan, Rahane shine in drawn match against Yorkshire

Dhawal Kulkarni and Iqbal Abdullah wreaked havoc before a dominant India 'A' settled for a draw against Yorkshire in their three-day first class match in Headlingly on Tuesday.

The Indian batsmen had showed their might by rattling up a massive 473 for three before declaring their innings on day one.

Dhawal Kulkarni (5/31) and Iqbal Abdullah (4/42) then wrecked the home side, skittling them out for a mere 219 on the final day yesterday.

The result could have been different but only 10.1 overs could be bowled on day two because of rain.

Earlier, the Indian batsmen flourished after skipper Cheteshwar Pujara decided to bat. Openers Shikhar Dhawan (179) and Abhinav Mukund (91) laid the platform for a big score with a 201-run stand.

Yorkshire spinner Moin Ashraf separated the pair by having Mukund but there was no respite for the home team as Ajinkya Rahane (118) joined Dhawan to continue the tormenting of the bowlers.

Yorkshire bowlers were in for some severe punishment as the Indian duo added another 141 runs for the second wicket.

Hodgson got into act again as he removed Dhawan but only to see Pujara (55 not out) and Rahane weaving together another big partnership.

The Indian batsmen scored briskly, almost at five runs per over, in the 95 overs they faced before declaring their innings.

Indian bowlers made most of the full day's play on the third day as they took remaining eight wickets.

When Yorkshire returned to bat, Abdullah began the rot by polishing off the Yorkshire top-order as he sent back one batsman after another. Kulkarni then gobbled up the rest of the batsmen to complete his five-for.

Tino Best was the top scorer for the home side with his 40-run knock at number eight.

India A's next three-day match on the England-Scotland tour is against the West Indies A at Leicester from June 10.

Brief Scores:
India A: 473 for 3 dec in 95 overs (S Dhawan 179, A Rahane 118; T Best 1/66)
Yorkshire: 210 all out in 91.2 overs (T Best 40, Alex Lees 38; D Kulkarni 5/31, I Abdullah 4/42).