Dhawan brushes aside fitness concerns with unbeaten ton
Opener Shikhar Dhawan marked his return to competitive cricket with a thumping century against Bangladesh A on the opening day of the three-day match at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Skipper Dhawan hit 116 not out with 16 fours and two sixes to guide India A to a confident 161-1 at the close. The hosts had earlier dismissed the visitors for 228 after choosing to bowl first.
It was the southpaw's first competitive match since injuring his right hand while fielding during the opening Test on the Sri Lanka tour in August that had ruled him out of the remainder of the series.
Dhawan, who had been picked in the one-day squads for the series against South Africa starting next week without a clear fitness assessment, faced 112 deliveries and put on 153 for the opening wicket with Abhinav Mukund (34).
Earlier, fast bowler Varun Aaron and off-spinner Jayant Yadav took four wickets each to restrict Bangladesh A despite a fighting century by Sabbir Rahman.
Brief scores (At stumps, day 1): Bangladesh A 228 in 52.4 overs (Sabbir Rahman 122 not out, Shuvagata Hom 62, V Aaron 4-45, J Yadav 4-28) v India A 161-1 in 33 overs (S Dhawan 116 batting).
