Indian ‘A’ vs Windies ‘A’: Pujara leads from the front after openers Dhawan & Abhinav fail to capitalize on the good work done by the bowlers

Skipper Cheteshwar Pujara is leading from the from as he is only in yet another rescue act for India after the vistors lost two quick wickets against West Indies A on Sunday. India A reached 64 for two at lunch, on the second day of their 2nd four-day ‘Test’. Pujara fresh from his match-winning knock in the first ‘Test’ is batting on 41 while Ajinkya Rahane scratched his way to an unbeaten 12, says an Indian Express report.

“Meanwhile openers Shikhar Dhawan and Abhinav Mukund failed to make significant contributions yet again as the two new-ball bowlers Jason Holder and Delorn Johnson troubled the batsmen. Left-handed Dhawan (0) was bowled as he got an inside edge to left-arm pacer delivery. Mukund (8) who bagged a pair in the last match also didn’t last long as right-arm fast bowler Holder came from round the wicket and got one to hold the line as the Tamil Nadu opener was struck on the pads,” adds the report.

Earlier India ‘A' dominated as its bowlers' disciplined performance reduced West Indies ‘A' to 212 for eight on the opening day of the four-day unofficial second cricket ‘Test' here, says a report in The Hindu.

Medium-pacers Ashok Dinda, Shami Ahmed and Rohit Sharma picked up two wickets apiece as India ‘A', leading the three-match series 1-0, once again exposed the brittleness of the host batting line-up. Dinda led the visitors' attack to finish with two for 22, while Rohit picked up two for 31 and Ahmed, two for 43.

The batsmen who made noteworthy contributions in the day, on which the host scored at less than three an over, were opener Kraigg Brathwaite (66 batting) and Veerasammy Permaul (36).

West Indies ‘A' elected to bat but the decision soon boomeranged as the visiting bowlers began to strike at will. The first blow to the Windies line-up came pretty early in the game when opener Justin Gullien (5) was caught by Manoj Tiwary off an Ahmed delivery.

Bengal speedster Shami Ahmed dismissed the remaining two batsmen in quick succession to finish with four wickets and bowl West Indies out for 217. Having started from their overnight score of 212 for nine, Shami first castled opener Kraigg Brathwaite (66) who failed to add anything to the overnight score. He then wrapped Devendra Bishoo (2) on pads to end the home team’s innings for 217.