India A were leading by 66 runs in their first innings with as many as seven wickets remaining at the KSCA Stadium. Despite a poor start as they lost overnight opener V A Jagadeesh (16) early after resuming at 10/1, India A went on to score 324 runs during the day.
Seeking to make a comeback to the national team, Gambhir, who was woefully out of form for a long time, notched up 123 off 236 balls with the help of 11 boundaries. The Delhi left-hander, who seemed determined to play a long innings in his quest to force the national selectors to sit up and take note, stroked his way to his 35th first-class century by flicking spinner Ashley Nurse for a boundary. He was finally dismissed by Narasingh Deonaraine after tea.
The opener showed glimpses of his old self, mixing aggression with defence as per the situation. Gambhir was flamboyant in the morning session when he cracked eight scintillating fours, but looked guarded in the second session as he did not score a single boundary.
He got good support from Pujara, who scored his runs after batting watchfully for nearly five hours and hitting 15 exquisite boundaries.
Both were involved in massive 207-run stand which put India A in a position from where they can win the match and level the three-match series.
Brief scores: West Indies A 268 vs India A 334/3 in 95 overs (G Gambhir 123, C Pujara 139 not out; D Johnson 1/50, N Miller 1/70)
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