Cricket-India's opening dilemma continues as Rahul, Easwaran flunk audition


  • Cricket
  • Thursday, 07 Nov 2024

FILE PHOTO: Cricket - ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 - India Practice Session - Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, India - October 28, 2023 India's KL Rahul during practice REUTERS/Andrew Boyers/File Photo

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - India continued to fret over the composition of their opening pair for the series opener against Australia later this month after KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran failed to impress in the second unofficial test on Thursday.

Yashasvi Jaiswal will need a new opening partner for the series opener as India captain Rohit Sharma is likely to miss the Perth test for personal reasons.

An uncapped Easwaran and a 53-test veteran Rahul, who is known for his ability to bat anywhere in the order, are the leading contenders to partner Jaiswal in Perth, but both fell cheaply against Australia A.

Easwaran made a three-ball duck falling to Michael Neser, while Rahul made four before Scott Boland dismissed him caught behind.

On a bouncy pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), India A slumped to 65-5, before Dhruv Jurel struck a gritty 80 to help them post 161 all out.

Neser claimed 4-27, but left the field with a hamstring injury in a major blow to his hopes of a test recall in the five-match series against India.

Australian opener Nathan McSweeney, who is tipped to fill the void created by David Warner's retirement, failed to impress as he fell for 14.

Sam Konstas, another name being touted as a possible opening partner for Usman Khawaja, was batting on one as Australia A reached stumps on 53-2.

(Reporting by Amlan Chakraborty in New Delhi; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In Cricket

Cricket-Bengaluru will suit me better than Punjab in IPL, says Livingstone
Cricket-South Africa 80-4 after rain-affected first day v Sri Lanka
Cricket-England know what they're doing with Bethell selection, says captain Stokes
Cricket-New Zealand all-rounder Smith to debut against England
Cricket-South Africa's next two test series are like cup finals says Bavuma
Cricket-Saim's century helps Pakistan to comprehensive win over Zimbabwe
Factbox-Cricket-South Africa vs Sri Lanka test series
Cricket-S Africa, Sri Lanka eye World Test Championship final
Cricket-Indian 13-year-old becomes youngest to earn IPL deal
Cricket-Stick or twist? Australia digests Perth mauling

Others Also Read