Xtra Time Web Desk: Great news coming from Pretoria where the Indian test squad is playing a three-day intra-squad game at the Tuks Oval. After a delayed start on Day 1 because of wet outfield, there was no wastage of time on Day 2 as it was bright and sunny throughout the day. Both Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal looked in great touch with the right hander scoring a hundred. Coming in at number three, Gill helped himself to a hundred on the second day of the three-day match, playing all the bowlers with confidence ahead of the two-match Test series against South Africa beginning on December 26.
The Tuks Oval in Pretoria, the venue of the intra-squad game is a 45-minute drive from the Supersport Park in Centurion where the first Test will be held. Trying to keep its cards close to the chest, head coach Rahul Dravid and team management didn’t want the match to be watched by outsiders as it can give a clearer idea about the strategy to be deployed against the Proteas.
Apart from Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal also got himself a half-century before being retired out in order to give others a chance to bat. Captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli also looked in rhythm coming back from a short break after the heartbreaking loss in World Cup final.
Meanwhile, Ruturaj Gaikwad’s finger injury could possibly warrant a few more days of rest and the Maharashtra right-hander might not be in contention to be selected for the first Test. Gaikwad had hurt his ring finger during second ODI and wasn’t selected for the third match against SA on Thursday.
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