Gill, Nitish, Jaiswal guide India to a six-wicket win vs Prime Minister’s XI

India beat Prime Minister’s XI on Day 2 of the pink ball warm up fixture on Sunday, December 1 at Manuka Oval, Canberra. After being put in to bat first, Prime Minister’s XI scored 240 courtesy of a century from Sam Konstas. In reply, India chased down the target in as Yashasvi Jaiswal (45) and Shubman Gill (50) emerged as top scorers.

Captain Rohit Sharma sacrificed his opening spot for KL Rahul who did a phenomenal job as an opener in the first Test in Perth. Hence, Rahul continued to open alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal in the warm up fixture as well. The duo continued from where they left off in Perth and added 75 runs for the first wicket.

Jaiswal was scratchy early on but Rahul looked solid and was very watchful at the crease. While Jaiswal was dismissed on 45 while trying to go big against Charlie Anderson, Rahul retired himself out on 27 (44) as Rohit walked in to bat. However, he couldn’t survive more than 11 deliveries and got dismissed for 3 (11) edging Charlie Anderson to wicketkeeper Oliver Davies.

India vs Prime Minister’s XI Day 2 Highlights

Following his dismissal, Nitish Kumar Reddy joined Shubman Gill at the crease and the duo added 92 runs together at the crease. Reddy played his big shots all around the ground smashing five fours and a six during his innings of 42 (32). On the other hand, Gill scored a sublime half century after recovering from his injury and retired himself out to allow batting practice to other players.

After Reddy was dismissed, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar came together at the crease and got involved in another 37-run stand. While Jadeja was dismissed on 27, Sundar scored a brilliant unbeaten 42 as India finished on 257/5 in 46 overs.

Harshit Rana stars with four wicket haul

Earlier, India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bowl first and the Indian seamers made full use of the overcast conditions early on. Mohammed Siraj made Matt Renshaw (5) edge one to slips while Jayden Goodwin (4) edged one to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant against Akash Deep to leave Prime Minister’s XI on 22/2.

After two early blows, Sam Konstas and Jack Clayton forged a 109-run stand for the third wicket to take their team’s score past 130. Out of nowhere, Harshit Rana brought India back in the game as he broke the stand by shattering Jack Clayton’s (40 off 52) stumps. Olivier Davies met the same fate for a two-ball duck which left PM’s XI on 131/4.

No overs for Ravichandran Ashwin

Rana further grabbed two more wickets in the very next over while Prasidh Krishna also got amongst the wickets which further left PM’s XI reeling at 138/7 in 25.3 overs. Despite losing his partners at the other end, Konstas continued to keep the scoreboard moving and got involved in another crucial 67-run stand with Hanno Jacobs.

Konstas brought up his hundred off 90 balls and with the help of 14 fours and a six and was finally dismissed on 107 by Akash Deep. Jacobs also played a brilliant knock down the order of 61 (60) as PM’s XI got all out for 240 in 43.2 overs. Harshit Rana (4/44) was the pick of the bowlers while Akash Deep also picked up (2/58). Much to everyone’s surprise premier off spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was not seen bowling throughout the Day 2.