AUS A v IND A, 2nd unofficial Test, Day-1 Review: Hardik Pandya shines against ruthless Aussies

While Australia ‘A’ were making the Indian batsmen work for their runs, Hardik Pandya was one player they had most certainly not taken into account. The 22-year old Indian all-rounder who has had somewhat of a torrid time with the bat impressed after a string of low scores with an unbeaten 79.

Having won the toss on a perfectly laid green wicket, Aussie skipper Joe Burns had absolutely no doubt in his mind about fielding first. Sure enough, the Aussie seam bowlers impressed by wrecking the Indian top-order four of whom were dismissed without even making much of a start.

Kane Richardson impressed with some impressive bowling up front and was also joined in by Jackson Bird who picked up two quick wickets as well. Karun Nair’s rush of blood saw him dismissed when Hilton Cartwright acted rather instinctively and smashed the stumps with Nair well short of the crease.

Jackson Bird was in his element as the ball did most of the talking on the day. He trapped the two most important batsmen for the Indians wherein Manish Pandey and skipper Naman Ojha were dismissed without tickling the scorers. At 46-6, the Indians seemed as though they would not last very long.

However, Hardik Pandya, India’s most explosive batsman at the moment in the current setup had other plans. He began to play his natural game where he smashed the bowlers to all parts before realizing the importance of batting out the day rather than amassing quick runs.

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Jayant Yadav perhaps had something to do with Pandya’s change of plans with his calm head. While Pandya’s blitz was taking center stage, Yadav’s 28 of 64 deliveries was rather quietly amassed. Needless to say, the duo spared India of their blushes and went on to add 78 runs for the seventh wicket.

It was yet another piece of genius by Joe Burns when he brought on Kane Richardson as the wickets began to take a tumble once more. Dhawal Kulkarni and Shardul Thakur went on to provide some company for Pandya before they too were sent back into the haven of the dressing room.

At the end of the day, in spite of the blitz from Hardik Pandya, it was the Australians who had the upper hand. They had reduced the Indians to 169/9 with yet another win on the cards for the Aussies who clinched a win in the first Test at the same venue.

Brief Scores:

India ‘A’, 1st innings: 169/9 (H Pandya 79*; K Richardson 3/37)