Xtra Time Web Desk: Rishabh Pant and Hanuma Vihari put themselves in the reckoning for next week’s first Test after smashing unbeaten hundreds on the second day of the practice match against Australia A at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday. Needing 19 runs to reach his hundred, Pant launched an attack against spinner Jack Wildermuth, taking 22 runs off his last over. He hit four boundaries and one six to remain unbeaten on 103* off 73 balls. At the other end, Vihari laboured his way to a fine 104-run knock off 194 balls. Also staking a claim for selection is young Shubman Gill, with an elegant 65 off 78 balls and 10 sweetly-timed boundaries.
In the final session of play, Pant’s aggressive approach paid dividends as he smashed the Australia A bowlers to all corners of the Sydney Cricket Ground, the southpaw making a strong case for himself for the wicketkeeper’s job in Adelaide ahead of Test specialist Wriddhiman Saha.
At the close of play, India were strongly placed at 386 for four for an overall lead by 472 runs, having bundled out the home team out for a paltry 108 in their first innings on Friday.
While Gill may have booked himself one of the opening slots with his dazzling strokes, Hanuma’s effort might force the Indian team to play an additional batsman in the series opener. Prithvi Shaw once again failed with the bat as he
Coming out to bat again in the beginning of the day’s play, India lost Prithvi Shaw in the second over as the young drove the ball at cover-point without any great foot movement. On the other hand Shubman Gill grabbed the opportunity with both hands as he scored his fifty off 49 balls. Mayank Agarwal too brushed aside his disappointment of the first innings to score a well made half century. The duo added 104-runs for the second wicket.
Thereafter Vihari and skipper Ajinkya Rahane was involved in a partnership of 78 runs for the fourth wicket as the Australian bowlers toiled hard for wickets.
With Inputs from PTI