Cheteshwar Pujara smashed a ton, and Rohit Sharma scored a crucial half-century on Day 1 of India’s practice match against Windies ‘A’ at Antigua on Saturday.
At stumps, India managed to put 297 runs on the board at a loss of 5 wickets.
In the absence of injured Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane is leading the Indian team in this three-day practice game. After winning the toss, the Indian captain opted to bat first. However, most of the Indian batsmen failed to score big on an opening day.
Our openers are off! #TeamIndia won the toss and will have a bat first against West Indies A 🏏🏏 pic.twitter.com/uV0AUnzQGT
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 17, 2019
Opener KL Rahul looked fluent during his knock of 36 off 51 balls with five fours and a six but his partner Mayank Agarwal’s defence was breached within the first hour.
Rahul looked good for a big one before being holed out to Romario Shepherd off new ball bowler Keon Harding’s bowling.
Captain Rahane, who has been in wretched form for the past couple of years and also had a poor county stint with Hampshire, was out for 1, edging seamer allrounder Jonathan Carter behind stumps to keeper-captain Jahmar Hamilton.
Rohit Sharma, who got a few crisp boundaries at the start of his innings, scored 68 runs off 115 balls before the off-spinner Akim Frazer dismissed him. In his innings, Rohit hit eight fours and a six. Meanwhile, the dogged Pujara retired hurt on hundred after facing 187 balls,
How good was that knock! @cheteshwar1 walks back after scoring a fine century. He is retired not out at 100 with #TeamIndia at 245/4. pic.twitter.com/l8k1ka4YKl
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 17, 2019
In the post-Tea session, Hanuma Vihari and Rishabh Pant took the guiding roles for Team India.
And just before the final two balls of the day, Pant lost his wicket on 33. At stumps, Vihari remained not out on 37 along with Ravindra Jadeja (1*), who got off the mark on the very first ball he faced.
