In what comes as a surprising move by Indian team management, wicketkeeper Kona Bharat was sent in to open the batting with Shubman Gill in the second innings of the four day warm up game against Leicestershire. Indian captain Rohit Sharma preferred to take a break. The team management also wanted to have a look at Bharat after his good knock in first innings as he remained not out on 70.
Is it an indication that Bharat will get an opportunity in playing XI for the fifth test against England at Edgbaston starting on July 1? It’s too early to comment especially with Rishabh Pant playing a brilliant 76 off 87 balls. He smashed 14 fours and a six before getting out to Ravjndra Jadeja.
India have taken a negligible 2-run first-innings lead against Leicestershire in the warm-up match. Rishabh Pant was the star for Leicestershire as he smashed 76. Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami bagged three wickets each for Indian XI while Shardul Thakur and Mohammed Siraj scalped two each/
Earlier on Day 2, Indian captain Rohit Sharma decided to declare the first innings at the overnight score of 246/8.