WICB President's XI v India, 1st Warm up game – Day 1 Review

India’s tour of West Indies kick started with a 2-day warm-up game vs West Indies Cricket Board President’s XI at Basseterre. Indian batsmen made most of the day after captain Virat Kohli won the toss and elected to bat first. Openers Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul and middle order batsman Rohit Sharma scored fifty-plus scores as India posted 258/6 in 93 overs at the end of the day 1.

At the end of 20 overs, India 54/0. Shikhar Dhawan 27, KL Rahul 23. Earlier, @SDhawan25 stepped out to hit a four. pic.twitter.com/TuQk8i3Bpo

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 9, 2016

Indian openers Dhawan and Rahul started off cautiously. Both looked good while driving the ball. Once the duo got the feel of the pitch, they started to get the runs. The southpaw brought up his fifty in 88 balls hitting 7th four just of his knock before Lunch. Dhawan retired out after sharing a 98-run stand with Rahul in the opening session to make way for Cheteshwar Pujara.

Fifty! @SDhawan25 brings up his half-century in 88 balls with this boundary. India 92/0 after 27 overs #WIpresXIvIND pic.twitter.com/71vmsAxkpN

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 9, 2016

Rahul on the other end got a life as he edged the ball trying to drive. The ball went through the fingers of the keeper and slip. After lunch, Rahul completed his fifty with a single and returned to the pavilion in order to allow captain Kohli to have a go. Rahul took 99 balls for his fifty striking 5 fours and a six hit over the long-on fence.

Fifty: @klrahul11 gets to his fifty as well with this single and he now makes way for captain @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/dOwMSDnex8

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 9, 2016

Kohli took about 15 balls to get off the mark. He struck a couple of boundaries and was given a life by the short leg fielder who failed to hold on a tough chance. However, Kohli was caught behind off Warrican for 14. Ajinkya Rahane didn’t stay long as he was bowled for just 5 runs by Warrican.

Also read – If you want 300, I will try and get it in the next game: Rohit Sharma

The final session on Day One of the practice game begins with Cheteshwar Pujara retiring on 34 from 102 balls. New batsman Wriddhiman Saha

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 9, 2016

Pujara was rock solid at one end while Rohit Sharma who came out to bat at No.6 got a chance to bat with the lower middle order. Wriddhiman Saha walked along with Rohit after Tea as Pujara retired after playing 102 balls for his 34. Saha put on a decent stand with Rohit and scored 22 only before he played one straight into the hands of short leg off the bowling of Jacobs.

Ajinkya Rahane is bowled for 5 off 25 balls while looking to play the on drive. India 159/2 in 55.2 overs. Cheteshwar Pujara batting on 31.

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 9, 2016

Amit Mishra stayed at the crease till the end of the day despite going for some ugly slogs. Rohit on other end played his strokes around the ground. He brought up his fifty from 102 balls with a boundary smashed down the long on region. He hit 8 fours and a six in his knock.

Also read – Team India members chill out on the beaches of St Kitts

A productive day for India at Warner Park comes to an end with @ImRo45 getting his half-century in style. India 258/3 from 93 overs.

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 9, 2016

Brief scores:

India – 258/6 (93) Day 1, stumps

(Rohit Sharma – 54*, Shikhar Dhawan – 51; J Warrican – 2/61)