Ahead of the T20 World Cup, India struggled on a fast WACA pitch against a potent WA XI assault despite KL Rahul’s patient 74, falling by 36 runs. Other than stand-in captain Rahul, India’s batters struggled in their chase after a nail-biting 13-run victory in their first warm-up match on Monday. India’s second-highest scorer, Hardik Pandya, had a total of 17. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the team’s regular captains, fielded during the innings of the WA XI but did not bat.
In their pursuit of 169, India’s openers Rahul and Rishabh Pant struggled to keep up with the pace assault of the reigning BBL champion Perth Scorchers. With Jason Behrendorff’s precise left-arm pace and multiple swings and misses, Pant once again battled with fluidity.
Finally making contact, Pant misplayed to the deep end as India’s top order appeared uneasy on the bouncy field. After being restrained, in-form speedster Lance Morris entered the fray in the seventh over and demonstrated why he may be Australia’s quickest bowler.
Finally making contact, Pant misplayed to the deep end as India’s top order appeared uneasy on the bouncy field. After being restrained, in-form speedster Lance Morris entered the fray in the seventh over and demonstrated why he may be Australia’s quickest bowler.
After winning Player of the Match for Western Australia against New South Wales the previous week, Morris bowled fiercely right away, which proved to be too much for Deepak Hooda, who holed out.
Following a lengthy comeback, Pandya was caught by youngster Hamish McKenzie’s left-arm spin, leaving India at 58 for 3, with Rahul being especially lethargic. Because Rahul’s teammates were losing their wickets, India’s required run rate increased dramatically.
The exception was Rahul, who batted patiently until launching a couple of sixes off Behrendorff in the 18th over to offer India a chance at an improbable victory. However, his dismissal in the following over effectively ended the match, resulting in a split of India’s warm-up games in Perth.
R Ashwin, a seasoned spinner who wasn’t in action on Monday, entered the attack in the sixth over and was instantly destroyed by D’Arcy Short and Nick Hobson’s raging 110-run partnership. Hobson, a player for the Perth Scorchers and an accountant by day, was particularly aggressive against the spinners throughout his 41-ball knock, hitting four sixes.
Sam Fanning, who had a standout performance in game one with a half-century, and captain Ashton Turner were both removed by wickets taken by Ashwin in consecutive balls after the WA team had struggled to get going. However, the 21-year-old had foolishly attempted a reverse sweep on the first ball, which led to his dismissal.
Two direct hits resulted in run outs for India, and Rahul managed the team brilliantly even though captain Rohit was still providing instructions. Much to the dismay of the locals, Kohli sat out of the two exhibition games in Perth, but he did field and spent time at first slip and the deep. He also ran laps before the game. 2500 people attended, and the AUD 5 entry charge was donated to the WA Cricket Foundation.