India began preparations for the two-match Test series against the West Indies with a tour game against the ‘A’ team in Antigua on Saturday.
The Indians batted first with KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal opening the innings. They didn’t make any significant impact with the first wicket falling on on 36.
The bigger disappointment for India was the form of Test specialist Ajinkya Rahane, who departed for just one from six balls. Rahane, who is the captain for the match, has been struggling in red ball cricket for some time.
In 14 first-class innings, including his latest outings for Hampshire in county cricket, Rahane has one century and one fifty. Also, he has been out for nought on three occasions and for one twice.
Solid as a rock - @cheteshwar1 gets to a patient half century now. #TeamIndia 170/3 👏🏻👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/V1cIRDelLz
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 17, 2019
While Rahane struggles will give the Indian management some headaches, Rohit Sharma’s efforts should fill them with confidence. The ODI specialist has been given another chance to resurrect his Test career and he put his best foot forward on Saturday, hitting a fifty along with Cheteshwar Pujara. Rohit eventually departed for 68.
If it comes down to a toss-up between Rahane and Rohit, the latter might just get nod for the first Test in North Sound which starts on Thursday.
