Dhawan hits 248 as India A win run fest

Indian batsman Shikhar Dhawan gestures for drinks during a one-day inernational against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club, on July 26, 2013. Dhawan has struck 248 runs as India A made 433-3 to win a 50-over match against South Africa A. (AFP/File)

PRETORIA (AFP) – Opener Shikhar Dhawan struck 248 runs Monday as India A made 433-3 to win a 50-over match against South Africa A.

His huge total at cool, sunny LC de Villiers Oval in Pretoria came off 150 balls and was spiced with 30 fours and seven sixes.

It was the second highest one-day score, falling 20 runs short of the 268 scored by Ali Brown of Surrey against Glamorgan 11 years ago.

Indian Virender Sehwag holds the official one-day international run record with 219 against the West Indies two years ago.

A 194-minute spell at the crease for Dhawan ended when he was caught by wicketkeeper Dane Vilas off the bowling of Juan 'Rusty' Theron.

India A won by 39 runs after Reeza Hendricks and Vaughn van Jaarsveld centuries lifted South Africa to 394 all out after 48.4 overs.

The 27-year-old left-hander scored 187 on his Test debut for India last March against Australia in Mohali.

He passed the 100-run mark in that Test off 85 balls -- the quickest ton by an Indian in a first Test appearance.

Not content to wreak havoc with the bat against South Africa A, he also captured the wicket of Justing Ontong, who was out one run short of his half-century.

Cheteshwar Pujara was another batsman to torment the South Africans, coming in at No. 3 to hit an unbeaten 109 off 97 balls, including eight fours.

Opener Murali Vijay, contributed 40 off 37 balls as India made the most of winning the toss with his 51-minute stand including seven fours.

Score summary

India A 433-3 (50 overs) (S. Dhawan 248, C. Pujara 109 no, M. Vijay 40) v South Africa A 394 (48.4 overs) (V. van Jaarsveld 108, R. Hendricks 106, J. Ontong 49; I. Pandey 4-76, J. Unadkat 2-79)

India A won by 39 runs