December 1, 2024

Rahul, Jaiswal Open; Gill Hits Fifty at No. 3 in Warm-Up

Rohit Sharma took the No. 4 spot in India’s pink-ball warm-up game, while 19-year-old Sam Konstas shone for the PM’s XI with an impressive century. The match served as valuable preparation for India ahead of the day-night Test in Adelaide, but also raised minor concerns. Yashasvi Jaiswal, despite showing discomfort with his lower back and receiving physio attention, continued to bat for a brief period before getting out attempting an aggressive shot. His dismissal shifted attention back to teammates vying for a spot in the playing XI.

Returning from paternity leave, Rohit eased back into cricket with energy and enthusiasm, celebrating dismissals, chatting with teammates, and adjusting to his middle-order role. While he adapted to the rhythm of the game, Sarfaraz Khan briefly struggled behind the stumps but settled in. On the opposing side, Konstas’ century stood out as a remarkable achievement, with many viewing him as a promising candidate for Australia’s opening role in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

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Rohit Struggles While Gill Shines in India’s Pink-Ball Warm-Up

Many eyes were on Rohit Sharma during the game, a player whose red-ball journey once seemed uncertain. After nearly a year away from Test cricket, he returned with a stellar home series against South Africa in 2019, scoring two centuries and a double century in his first four innings as an opener, marking a turning point in his career. His defensive improvements were evident during the England tour in 2021, but at the Manuka Oval, Rohit struggled to recapture that form. Starting cautiously with a solid leave and disciplined defense, he resisted early temptations but eventually fell for 3, caught at first slip while driving outside off. Despite his typically aggressive approach as an opener, recent performances on bowler-friendly pitches had him adopting a more circumspect style in this outing.

Shubman Gill, in contrast, showcased his flair with a 62-ball fifty before retiring. His short-arm pull, a signature stroke, stood out, but occasional lapses in technique—like driving loosely away from his body—hinted at vulnerabilities. India’s decision to bowl first in a rain-shortened 46-over match seemed aimed at gaining batting experience under twilight, a notoriously challenging period for batters. KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal faced significant movement from the pink ball, with Jaiswal’s edges contributing 12 of his first 14 runs, underscoring the difficulty of navigating this phase. Despite the challenges, the game offered valuable insights into form and technique ahead of the day-night Test.

KL Rahul’s Composed Knock Anchors India’s Warm-Up Preparations

KL Rahul showcased a measured approach during India’s pink-ball warm-up game, standing firm against a challenging spell from Scott Boland. Known for his precision, Boland troubled Rahul early on, particularly in the third over, where he generated sharp seam movement that caused the batter to mistime a shot off the leading edge. Unlike his partner Yashasvi Jaiswal, who played more extravagantly, Rahul relied on his sound technique, resisting the urge to follow the ball and reading its line carefully to decide when to play or leave. His ability to wait for the ball until it was under his eyes paid off, highlighted by a beautifully balanced back-foot punch through cover.

This approach aligned perfectly with India’s preparation goals for handling twilight conditions, a period when the pink ball moves dangerously. Both Rahul and Jaiswal adjusted, with Jaiswal showing patience by leaving four consecutive deliveries in the eighth over. Once the movement subsided, Rahul’s early caution allowed him to capitalize, playing crisp, controlled strokes. Having weathered the toughest phase, he retired out to give others valuable game time, marking his performance as a significant confidence boost for the team.

India Prepares for Adelaide Test; Konstas Impresses with Century

India’s win in Perth, driven by the unexpected brilliance of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal as openers, has set high expectations for their partnership heading into the pink-ball Test in Adelaide. The duo’s chemistry could be pivotal, especially with the challenge of the new ball under lights. However, with this being a low-stakes practice match and head coach Gautam Gambhir yet to join the squad, final decisions may differ. The team is set to land in Adelaide on Monday and restart their preparation on Tuesday, aiming to fine-tune their approach for Friday’s Test.

On the opposition side, Sam Konstas showcased his immense potential, scoring an impressive 107 off 97 balls. While some runs came from slogs, his range of shots stood out, including a stylish reverse ramp off Akash Deep and a commanding hook off Harshit Rana that sent the ball perilously close to the Jack Fingleton scoreboard. Despite occasional misjudgments, Konstas’ confidence against an international bowling attack highlighted his readiness to build on his Under-19 achievements. Meanwhile, the absence of stars like Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and R Ashwin led some of the 5234 spectators at Manuka Oval to depart early, but the match still offered valuable takeaways for both sides.

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