KL Rahul Scores A Century Against County Select XI In Warm-Up Clash Ahead Of England Tests

India’s batsman KL Rahul started well by scoring a brilliant 101 against the County Select XI on day one of the ongoing three-day warm-up game being played at the Riverside Ground, Chester-Le-Street in Durham.

This is India’s only warmup game against a county side as they will next play an intra-squad match from July 28 onwards before the first Test match between India and England begins on August 4 in Trent Bridge, Nottingham. Meanwhile, this match saw Rohit Sharma coming out to captain the Indians as regular captain Virat Kohli and vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane were out of the match due to various niggles.

India also rested Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, and Ishant Sharma. The opposition side Select County XI was short of players and requested a couple of Indian players on loan, which saw fast bowler Avesh Khan and all-rounder Washington Sundar being named in the opposition playing XI.

KL Rahul Strokes Brilliant Century With 11 Fours And 1 Six To His Name

Rishabh Pant had tested positive for the COVID-19 virus during the 20-day break that the Indian team had after the World Test Championship final. And alongside him, team staff member Dayanand Garani was also found COVID positive, forcing Wriddhiman Saha, Abhimanyu Easwaran, and bowling coach B Arun to go into isolation as they were deemed close contact with Garani.

This left India without a wicketkeeper for the warm-up game against County XI and KL Rahul was asked to take up the gloves.

Rohit Sharma walked out for the toss and called it right. He decided to bat first but was the first wicket to fall for 9 runs. Mayank Agarwal (28) and Cheteshwar Pujara (21) looked solid, but both fell in quick succession. Hanuma Vihari also followed soon for 28 runs, but KL Rahul, who came out to bat at no.5 showed that a mix of aggression and defense did wonders on that pitch.

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He found some support from Vihari and then Ravindra Jadeja, as he slammed a brilliant 101 in 150 balls with 1 six and 11 fours to his name. He retired hurt soon after reaching the milestone. But during the knock, has put his name forth for the playing XI for the first Test match which begins on August 4.

Also Read: India Reserve Fast Bowler Avesh Khan Injures Finger During Warm-up Match Between County Select XI And Indians XI