KL Rahul lone disappointment as India's batsmen fire against Cricket Australia XI

Sport360 staff 11:54 29/11/2018
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  • Kohli hasn't managed to master Test chases this year.

    India opener KL Rahul’s woeful form continued as he was the lone failure in the Indian top-order as the visitors fought to 392 all out from their 92 overs against a Cricket Australia XI in Sydney on Thursday.

    The rest of the top and middle-order batsmen all made runs with skipper Virat Kohli making his intentions very clear as he warmed up for the opening Test of the series against the Baggy Green with an impressive 50.

    Opening the batting with youngster Prithvi Shaw on the second day of the four-day game, Rahul managed to score a miserly three from his 18 deliveries before he was dismissed by Jackson Coleman.

    With Cricket Australia XI winning the toss and deciding to field, it was the perfect opportunity for the Indian batsmen to adapt to the conditions Down Under.

    But while those around him flourished, Rahul floundered. Captain Kohli looked in fine flow as he had the drives and flicks coming from the middle of the bat and the otherwise cautious batsman even sent one over the ropes as his 87-ball knock of 64 consisted of seven boundaries and a six.

    This bodes well for the tourists who will need their main man firing from the front if India are to win their first series in Australia.

    All the other top-order batsmen pitched in with Shaw hitting a fluent 69-ball 66, Cheteshwar Pujara recording a patient 89-ball 54, Hanuma Vihari knocking a cautious 88-ball 53 and deputy Ajinkya Rahane scoring 56 off 123 balls before retiring not out.

    Even Rohit Sharma showed his love for the Australian pitches as he hit a fluent 40 off 55 balls. Murali Vijay is the only top-order batsman who did not get his chance in the middle as the management decided to send in Rishabh Pant and Ravi Ashwin after Rohit was dismissed and Rahane retired.

    The opening day of the game was washed off as incessant rain kept the players away. It started raining in Sydney on Tuesday night and after a deluge through the day, the ground was soaking wet.

    There was a brief stoppage in rain at 13:00 local time and the groundsmen worked hard to get the pitch and outfield ready. But play was abandoned for the day at 15:00 local time.

    At the close of play, Cricket Australia were 24-0.

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