Several Indian batsmen have played themselves into form ahead of the First Test that starts next week in Adelaide. Playing for India A against Australia A in Sydney, both Hanuma Vihari and Rishabh Pant made centuries, whist Shubman Gill made an assured 65.
Hanuma was unbeaten at the close of play on 104, and Pant was 103 not out, reaching his century by scoring 22 off the last over bowled by medium-pacer Jack Wildermuth.
In truth, Pant’s innings will do him little immediate good. Wriddhiman Saha is almost certainly set to be handed the wicket-keeping gloves for the test series. However, it was a timely reminder, of what Pant can do, to the selectors after a difficult 18-month period which has seen him dropped from the limited overs set-up and relegated to the role of back-up for the test squad.
Vihari is already assured of a place in the team for Adelaide where he will bat at number six. Still, he would have gained a lot of confidence from his knock, especially has he had to negotiate a tricky period when the lights first came on in Sydney. With the First Test a day-night match, these are exactly the same type of conditions he may have to face in a week’s time.
Arguably the biggest beneficiary of the day was Gill. With Rohit Sharma missing, the one spot up for grabs in the team for the First Test is that of opener alongside Mayank Agarwal. Gill would appear to be in a straight fight for the spot with Prithvi Shaw and he had by far the more impressive day, with Shaw going early, caught at gully off a good length.
India are well ahead in the three-day match. Having established as 86 run lead on first innings, they closed the second day on 386/4, extending their advantage to 472 runs.