Team India was able to register a six-wicket win over Prime Minister’s XI in the pink-ball practice match played at the Manuka Oval ground in Canberra. The Indian team led by Rohit Sharma showcased a complete team performance wherein both the batters and bowlers performed well to help the team cross the finish line. The match was very important from Team India’s point of view ahead of the all important IND vs AUS 2nd Test to be played at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide. The Indian team already leads the five-match series by 1-0 and will look forward to extend the score line in Adelaide.
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Key Takeaways From India vs Prime Minister’s XI Practice Match
- Performance Of Bowlers: The Indian bowlers were clinical as expected wherein Harshit Rana picked up a four wicket haul and every bowler except Nitish Kumar Reddy tasted success. Key Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah didn’t bowl a single over during the match which tells that bench strength of the Indian bowling lineup.
- Shubman Gill: Indian batter Shubman Gill missed out on the first Test in Perth due to a thumb injury, however, the latter showcased brilliant confidence with the bat in the practice game against PM XI and looked in good knick. He has made his case strong to bat at number three during the IND vs AUS 2nd Test to be played in Adelaide.
- Opening Pair: The Indian team management went with the opening pair of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal. The duo put up a brilliant stand of 75 runs for the first wicket and which the proved the decision of the management right. Both of them are once again expected to open in Adelaide whereas Rohit Sharma may bat at number five.
- Rohit Sharma’s Form: The Indian captain still needs more gametime as he got dismissed early during the practice match. With five days left in the Adelaide Test, his main focus shall be to practice as much as he can against the pink ball to score some runs in the second Test.
If Rohit Sharma and Co are able to defeat Australia in Adelaide, it will surely be a big statement from the Indian team. The last few months haven’t been the way Team India would have liked which also affected their chances of qualifying for the WTC finals. Team India needs to win atleast four from five matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for making a safe entry in the WTC finals, and the kind of performance the Rohit Sharma led side has shown so far, the mission is expected to get accomplished.
