Rishabh Pant scored an unbeaten 103 in India’s 3-day day-evening practice game.© Twitter
India batsman Hanuma Vihari mentioned each Wriddhiman Saha and Rishabh Pant are in very good type, and it will be a hard contact for the group management to make as to who will be the wicketkeeper in the initial Test against Australia. Vihari’s comments came following India’s 3-day day-evening practice game against Australia A ended in a draw at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Sunday. “Healthy competition is always good for the team and I feel, for every spot, we have good competition. It all depends on team management as to whom they decide to pick. I feel both of them are looking in good form so it will be a tough call and a good headache,” Vihari mentioned even though answering an ANI query in the virtual post-match press conference.
Pant and Vihari played unbeaten knocks of 103 and 104 respectively through the second innings, as India place up a total of 386/4 ahead of declaring the innings. Saha did not bat in the second innings and was dismissed on a duck in the initial innings. However, in the earlier practice game at the Drummoyne Oval, he had scored unbeaten 54 runs in the second innings.
Apart from hitting a century, Vihari bowled seven overs through Australia A’s second innings and picked the wicket of Alex Carey (58).
Reflecting on his bowling functionality, Vihari mentioned: “I think I am bowling decently. Ajinkya asked me to bowl and I was happy to do it. I think I did pretty well and getting a wicket is a bonus.”
Indian pacers Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj bagged early wickets in the initial session to place the guests on major on the final day. However, Ben McDermott and Jack Wildermuth smashed their respective centuries as the match ended in a draw.
The initial Test of the 4-match series amongst India and Australia will commence on Thursday in Adelaide.