Australia vs India 2018: Five Things India Learned From Warm-Up Match
Updated - 01 Dec 2018, 06:21 PM
The practice match between India and Cricket Australia XI ahead of four-match Test series was mostly a dull affair. However, it might impact on the Test series as the game gave India’s batting order much confidence. It also robbed India’s best opener with Prithvi Shaw getting injured. Moreover, it was also a frustrating outing for the Indian bowling attack.
Here are five things we learned from India vs Cricket Australia XI warm-up match:
India will miss the services of Prithvi Shaw
The visitors will miss the services of young Prith Shaw. He had sustained an injury during the practice game against CA XI. The incident happened during the third day of the four-day practice match. In fact, the pain was palpable on Shaw’s face. Later, he was carried off the field and then to the hospital for scans. Shaw had impressed with a sparkling 66 runs with the help of eleven boundaries. His absence will cost a lot to the Indian team.
Indian batting looked good
Indian batsmen have showed a terrific display in the first innings of the practice match. Apart from KL Rahul, every Indian batsman was amongst the runs. There were five half-centuries from the team and a 40-run knock from Rohit Sharma. Moreover, the two batsmen who did not get runs in the first innings – Vijay (did not bat) while Rahul, who scored just three – also got runs in the second essay. However, India will try to continue their form and put the best in the entire Test series.
Murali Vijay and KL Rahul up for the challenge.
After the poor show in the first innings from KL Rahul, India expected from him in the second innings. Vijay slammed a century while KL Rahul added 62 runs. Moreover, India is likely to go with the same combination for the first Test match at Adelaide. Indian skipper must be happy to see Rahul amongst the runs in the second innings after failing to score runs in the first innings.
Hanuma Vihari to play, Rohit Sharma to wait
India is likely to play Hanuma Vihari ahead of Rohit Sharma. He had played a fantastic knock scoring a half-century in the first innings and was also promoted to number three in the second essay. Hanuma impressed the selectors when he made his debut against England this year where he scored a fifty in the first innings and scalped three wickets in the second innings. Vihari might play as a batting all-rounder in the first Test as he can be handy with his off-spin.
Indian bowling looked ordinary
India put up a great show with the bat, but the bowling department failed to impress. CA XI scored more than 500 runs in the first innings, and their tailenders also scored crucial runs. There was no standout bowler for India and they will have to do much better against senior Australian side.
Tagged:
KL Rahul Murali Vijay Prithvi Shaw Virat Kohli
