Ajinkya Rahane finally gets some much-needed runs ahead of first Test against West Indies

Tags: India tour of West Indies 2019, India, West Indies

Published on: Aug 20, 2019

Struggling India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane hit a half-century on Monday in the warm-up game against West Indies A, which will give some relief to both him and the selectors ahead of the Test series which begins on August 22.

Rahane, who has not scored a Test hundred in two years, and was dismissed for 1 in the first innings, was under definite pressure to perform. From being the most consistent performer for India when playing abroad, the Mumbai batsman has somehow been clinging on to his place in recent times.

In the warm-up game, India resumed their innings at 84 for 1, and were taken ahead by Rahane, who made a patient 54 off 162 balls and Hanuma Vihari, who contributed an impressive 64 from 125 balls. Vihari and Rahane featured in a 96-run stand for the second wicket.

Vihari was sent back by Akim Frazer, who caught him in front of the stumps. Rishabh Pant was then run out for 19 while Khary Pierre sent back Ravindra Jadeja for 9. Rahane was eventually dismissed for 54, a patient knock, featuring five fours and a six as India declared their second innings at 188 for 5.

Akim Frazer was the most successful bowler for West Indies A with 2 for 43. Batting in their second innings, West Indies A crumbled to 47 for 3 as Jasprit Bumrah, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja helped themselves to one wicket each.

The match saw Cheteshwar Pujara getting a hundred in the first innings and Rohit Sharma contributing 68. With the ball, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and Kuldeep Yadav all claimed three wickets each in the first innings. Virat Kohli was rested for the match after he picked up an injury during the third ODI.

--By A Cricket Correspondent

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