In-form Cheteshwar Pujara hit a century, and the in-form limited-overs deputy captain Rohit Sharma scored a crucial half-century on the opening day of the three-day tour match against Windies A side at Antigua. At the end of that day, Indians managed to score 297/5.
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On Saturday (17th August), Indians and Windies A have started this three-day warm-up game. In the absence of the injured captain Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane is leading the Indians. After winning the toss, the Indians captain Rahane decided to bat first. However, most of the Indian batsmen failed to manage big scores on that opening day.
KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal started Indians innings as the opening partners. After the 36 runs partnership for that opening wicket, Agarwal (12 runs) was bowled by the uncapped Test pacer Jonathan Carter.
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Three overs later, Keon Harding dismissed the other opener KL Rahul for 36 runs. The stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane only managed to score one run before getting caught behind. Once again, the 31-year-old right-arm pacer Carter took that wicket as the Indians were struggling on 53/3.
At the lunch break, the Indians were batting on 89/3. Cheteshwar Pujara and Rohit Sharma were trying to build up a solid partnership in that time.
Indians – Cheteshwar Pujara and Rohit Sharma had a 132-run partnership
In the second session, Pujara and Rohit stretched their partnership for longer. They had a 132-run partnership for the fourth wicket. The no.5 batsman Rohit scored 68 runs off 115 balls before the off-spinner Akim Frazer dismissed him. In that innings, Rohit hit eight fours and only six.
On the other hand, Pujara carried his innings for longer after completing his half-century. At the Tea break, the Indians were batting on 219/4.
Pujara completed his century in the third session and then decided to retire not out. The right-handed batsman scored 100 runs off 187 balls with eight fours and only six.
Then, Hanuma Vihari and the young wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant took the guiding roles in that innings. There was a little rain-interruption during that session.
Just before the final two balls of the day, Pant lost his wicket on 33 runs (53 balls). Carter once again claimed a wicket and this time through the lbw. At the stumps of the day, Vihari remained not out on 37 runs while Ravindra Jadeja (1*) got off the mark on the very first ball he faced.
Brief Scores: Indians – 297/5 (Cheteshwar Pujara 100 retired not out, Rohit Sharma 68; Jonathan Carter 3/39) vs Windies A