Batting at No. 5, KL Rahul smashed a fluent 101 on day one of the three-day warm-up fixture against County Select XI. Ravindra Jadeja chipped in with a solid 75 as India finished the day on 306/9. Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane didn’t take part in the game due to niggles.
It was a mixed opening day for India as they reached 306/9 in their three-day warm-up game ahead of the five-match Test series against England. The top-order couldn’t get going and failed to convert their starts before KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja helped them get back on track.
Three out of the top four Indian batters got into the 20s but couldn’t get the big score. Rohit Sharma fell early and was out for 9 while the likes of Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara and Hanuma Vihari fell in the 20s.
Lyndon James was the one who got rid of the openers and took the first couple of wickets before Jack Carson and Liam Patterson-White accounted for Pujara and Vihari, respectively.
India were reduced to 67/3 when Rahul walked in and when Vihari was dismissed, the score read 107/4. Rahul and Jadeja then shared a 127-run stand for the fifth wicket. KL Rahul made full use of the opportunity that he received as he smashed a ton. He lit up the Chester-le-Street in Durham with some fine stroke-play and scored 101. Meanwhile, Jadeja gave a solid account of himself as he contributed with 75.
Rahul retired out on 101 in the 72nd over while India’s lower-order couldn’t really offer much resistance as Craig Miles picked up three wickets with the second new-ball. India finished the day on 306/9 with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj at the crease.
Earlier in the day, the absence of captain Virat Kohli and vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane raised a few eye-brows. However, BCCI cleared the air and, in their statement, mentioned that the two senior pros were carrying niggles. Kohli had a stiff back and was advised rest.
The deputy captain, Rahane had a swelling on his left hamstring and missed the game. The latter received an injection and is expected to be fully fit in time for the five-match Test series against England, starting on the 4th of August.
Rohit Sharma is the stand-in captain in the absence of Kohli and Rahane. Meanwhile, Avesh Khan also hurt his thumb during the game. He featured for the County Select XI side and Washington Sundar after James Bracey and Zak Chappell pulled out for different reasons. Bracey was identified as a close contact to a COVID-19 positive case. On the other hand, Chappell sustained an injury on the morning of the game.
Brief scores
Indians 309/9 (KL Rahul 101, Ravindra Jadeja 75, Craig Miles 3/42, Lyndon James 2/32) vs County Select XI
