WI A vs IND: Pujara, Rohit shine on first day of practice match

Cheteshwar Pujara and Rohit Sharma headlined the first day of the three-day practise match played at Antigua between Indians and West Indies A. India finished the opening day on 297/5 with Hanuma Vihari and Ravindra Jadeja at the crease.

Also read: Ravi Shastri handed two-year extension as Team India head coach

India’s Test captain Virat Kohli did not participate in the practice game on account of a finger injury concern. Vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane stepped up to lead the side and opted to bat first after winning the toss. KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal began the proceedings. However, the duo failed to make a mark.

Agarwal (12) and Rahul (36) fell within 20 balls of each other, requiring the side to go in a defensive mode. India’s most reliable batsman, Pujara and the temporary captain, Rahane joined hands at the crease. The upcoming Test series will be extremely crucial for Rahane to maintain his position in the team. However, he began with an off-note. The Test vice-captain was dismissed for 1 run from six balls.

Leading run-getter of the 2019 World Cup walked in next at 53/3. Adding 132 runs for the fourth wicket, Pujara and Rohit stabilised the Indian innings. Pujara soon brought up his hundred and retired immediately after the completion. Rohit fell for a well-crafted 68 which included 8 fours and a six.

Vihari took control of the innings after the fall of Rohit with his partner Rishabh Pant playing at a higher tempo. Pant fell for 33 at the very end of the day, making Jadeja and Vihari negotiate the final two deliveries of play. Medium-pace bowler Jonathan Carter was the most successful bowler on the day for West Indies A. He took 3/39 which included the scalps of Agarwal, Rahane and Pant.