Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad strengthened his credentials for a national call-up with a match-winning ton against South Africa A in Rajkot on Thursday. Chasing 286, Gaikwad top-scored with 117 to help sail India A home with three balls to spare.

Gaikwad, vice-captain of the side led by Tilak Varma, stitched an opening stand of 64 runs alongside Abhishek Sharma. None of the other Indian batters crossed the 40+ run mark, and hence that put the onus on the CSK star to drop anchor and steady the innings that was stuck in a precarious position.

Varma scored 39, and was ably supported by Nitish Kumar Reddy's knock of 37, but the Pune-born batter stole the show with some impeccable composure in his innings that was laden with 12 boundaries.

Earlier, India A had produced a

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