Ahead of the much-awaited four-match Test series between India and Australia, the visiting team played the first warm-up match against Australia. India’s Test specialists under the captaincy of Ajinkya Rahane finally got a game after a long gap and even Australia A had some of the national team players including skipper Tim Paine and Travis Head.
After opting to bat first, India A witnessed a terrible start as their openers Shubman Gill and Prithvi Shaw were dismissed on ducks as they were reeling at 6/2 in the third over. Hanuma Voharu also got out soon to leave the team at 40/3. But two of India’s most dependable players joined hands then to resurrect the innings. Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara stitched a 76-run partnership.
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Pujara was looking in his zone despite not playing the sport for a long time as he amassed a half-century before a well-directed short ball had him fending awkwardly only for the edge to carry to the leg-slip fielder. India A suffered another collapse when Wriddhiman Saha and Ravi Ashwin got out in quick succession just before Tea. From 116/3, they were reduced to 128/6 in no time and there were fears of the team getting bundled out for a paltry score.
However, the skipper Ajinkya Rahane had other ideas as he along with Kuldeep Yadav surpassed the 50-run mark. The latter also survived a couple of close calls but then looked determined on playing the role of an anchor at the crucial stage. Rahane, meanwhile, upped the ante after getting his eye in the post the Tea break.
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Rahane looked in very good touch during his heroic knock and it’ll be a huge boost for the as he will be leading the Test squad when Virat Kohli will leave after the first Test. India A managed to play out the day and posted 237 runs for the loss of 8 wickets after 90 overs with Rahane remaining unbeaten on 108 off 228 deliveries while Mohammed Siraj is hanging in with him.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
The century for @ajinkyarahane88 bodes well. Important that him and @cheteshwar1 got a lot of time in the middle. Keen to see the openers get runs in the 2nd innings.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 6, 2020
Ajinkya Rahane leading from the front! 👍👍
He brings up his hundred as Indians move to 212/7 after 84 overs. pic.twitter.com/Zjn7Lzr8Et
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 6, 2020
34th century in first-class cricket for Ajinkya Rahane but his first while playing as a captain. #AUSAvINDA
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) December 6, 2020
Ajinkya Rahane has begun the tour with a super 100 #IndvsAus
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) December 6, 2020
A century for Ajinkya Rahane, a reminder for Australian fans that India bat a lot deeper than Kohli and Pujara.
— Daniel Cherny 📰 (@DanielCherny) December 6, 2020
An amazing 💯 to start his tour with ajinkya rahane certainly love playing overseas great sign for india..@mohsinaliisb @razi_haider
— YashGawade😎😎🔥 (@YashGawade2002) December 6, 2020
Shaw and Gill, both gone for ducks that too against an attack devoid of Starc, Cummins and Hazelwood.
Meanwhile Indian fans👇 pic.twitter.com/4IELz403xy— Rishit_Sachinist •EF• (@RishitShukla) December 6, 2020
Top innings and an important one for Ajinkya . Glad , can see the side game .#AUSAvIND
— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) December 6, 2020
Hundred for Ajinkya Rahane in the first practice game. What a wonderful knock he's played, handled James Pattinson really well, really amazing to see him scoring runs. Hopefully the form continues against the main pace attack also in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. pic.twitter.com/KHLthpGJx0
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 6, 2020
Here's some fun with numbers ….
At this very point – with @ajinkyarahane88 on 107* in the warm-up match against Australia A …
Ajinkya Rahane (at 107* in his 146th FC match): 10988 runs, 34 x 100s
Sunil Gavaskar (after his 146th FC Match): 10988 runs, 32 x 100s— Arun Gopalakrishnan (@statanalyst) December 6, 2020
Both Shaw and Gill got ducks, hope they score in 2nd innings and Vihari also gets some time in the middle
— Srini Chilakalapudi (@srini_cc) December 6, 2020
