Shivam Dube, Wriddhiman Saha's half-centuries give India A lead on Day 2
Shivam Dube and Wriddhiman Saha hit half-centuries as India A progressed to take a 71-run lead at stumps on the second day of the unofficial Test match against West Indies A in Antigua. Priyank Panchal, Shubman Gill, and Hanuma Vihari, all got starts but failed to convert them into big scores.
India began day two of the unofficial test at 70 for one, with Panchal on 31, and Gill on nine. The duo looked in good nick, and well set to convert capitalize on their starts. However, both of them fell before getting to their fifties.
Panchal was trapped in front by Jomel Warrican on 49, while Gill was caught by Jermaine Blackwood off the bowling of Rahkeem Cornwall on 40. Incoming KS Bharat, who is in consideration for India selection, was dismissed for a golden duck. When Vihari, who has already played Test cricket for India in England and Australia, fell for 31, India A had lost half of their side while still being 60 runs behind.
Then, Dube stitched together a 124-run partnership with Saha to take India well past West Indies’ total of 228. Dube, the more aggressive of the two, struck seven fours and four sixes in his 108-ball 71. At the other end was Saha, who is trying to get back to the senior side after injury had kept him out since January last year. Saha, who looked fully in control, stayed unbeaten on 61 at the end of the day’s play.
The Windies side clawed their way back in the last two overs of the day, dismissing Dube and the two batsmen that followed - Krishnappa Gowtham and Shahbaz Nadeem. India A will now start day three at 299 for eight.
