India vs India A Practice Match: Kohli Walks for 15, Pant Struggles
As the battles for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy reach a fever pitch, India posed against India A in a low-key 3-day warm-up game at WACA. Jointly organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the match will get India's batsmen ready to face quality bowlers ahead of the challenge Australia presents, with Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc.
India vs India A Practice Match: Kohli and Pant Struggle
The practice match between India and India A started on a troubling note for India as key players Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant failed to deliver in the first innings. Kohli managed only 15 runs before being caught at second slip, while Pant, who initially looked promising, succumbed to a short-pitched delivery and was bowled for 19 runs. Their lackluster performances raised concerns ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, highlighting areas for improvement against quality bowling attacks.
Virat Kohli's Form Continues to Raise Concerns
A couple of beautiful cover drives - but Virat Kohli has nicked a good length delivery to second slip. Another typical WACA dismissal. He made 15
— Tristan Lavalette (@trislavalette) November 15, 2024
A much-anticipated Virat Kohli innings, in the end, was disappointing and came only to 15 runs. Though he had given the spectators a glimpse of his classical cover drive early, Kohli edged one from Mukesh Kumar straight to second slip. Though he failed, there was something that did stand out: Kohli's intent; he walked to the nets immediately post-dismissal for a workout session, indicating his intent to iron out some loose ends.
Kohli's form has been under scanner of late and has added to the concerns as India is about to face Australia's compelling bowling attack in the upcoming series.
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Rishabh Pant Falls Prey to Short-Pitched Bowling
Rishabh Pant was also off-colour in the first innings, a poster boy after being hailed as India's hero in the recent whitewash against New Zealand. Pant provided good starts but fell to the hook when India A bowlers started short-pitched assaults on him. He got clean bowled to Nitish Kumar Reddy for 19 runs. This dismissal exposes a consistent weakness to well-directed short balls by the Australian pacers.
Youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal Falls Early
The other promising young opener, too, failed to cut the ice-Yashasvi Jaiswal, whom everyone in Indian cricket is talking about as a bright new star. Jaiswal was dismissed when he had only 15 runs. He could not make much of his start.
The India A bowlers showed promising discipline in their attack, and both Mukesh Kumar and Nitish Kumar Reddy were excellent with the bat. It would do well for Indian depth if they could test top-tier batters with this sort of pace and accuracy, especially against the senior players.
Preparation Strategy
Jaiswal was out for 15 caught behind the wicket - flashing at a length ball in a typical Perth dismissal
— Tristan Lavalette (@trislavalette) November 15, 2024
Virat Kohli is in the middle pic.twitter.com/oS02SHVa5D
The BCCI has shown the need to prepare intensely by playing the senior team against India A. Though Kohli, Pant, and Jaiswal failed utterly, this game will help the team find out what doesn't have to be squared up before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Day 2 will be the day of regaining rhythm and confidence for batters in this quality opposition of India.
