India are playing Leicestershire in the 2nd day of the 4 day practice match which is taking place in Leicester. The game assumes significance as this is the only warm up game for the Indian team, ahead of the sole test against England. The first day’s play was curtailed after India were 246 for 8. Srikar Bharat had saved the blushed after his counter attacking 70 off 111 balls after India were down at 148 for 7. Team India ware using this game to give every player a go as 4 Indian players are playing for the county side.
Pujara gets cleaned up by Shami and gets hugged by the bowler –
The game maybe a warm up but the friendly rivalry between the Indian team members was there to see. Pujara was asked for the 2 match test series against Sri Lanka after a poor few years with the bat. The 34year old went to play for Sussex and found form with over 700 runs, which enabled him to get a call up to the Indian team. Batting at 3, Pujara had faced 5 balls before going for a off Shami. The ball took the inside edge and disturbed the timber of Pujara who was looking shocked. Shami was happy and had his arms aloft and then went ahead to jump on Pujara and give him a hug.
☝️ | 𝐏𝐮𝐣𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐛 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐢.
— Leicestershire Foxes 🏏 (@leicsccc) June 24, 2022
A second wicket for Shami. He dismisses his @BCCI teammate, as Pujara drags on.
Evison joins Kimber (28*).
🦊 LEI 34/2
𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐌: https://t.co/APL4n65NFa 👈
🦊 #IndiaTourMatch | #LEIvIND | #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/ANf2NfhUAy
Indian bowlers get into stride –
India decided to declare the innings with the overnight score of 246 for 8, and inserted the home side to bat. Foxes skipper Samuel Evans was the first to for 1 when he was take by Kohli off Shami. Post the fall off Pujara, Kimber and Evison added 22 for the 3rd wicket. Kimber was caught behind for 31 off 39 balls falling to Siraj, the Hyderabad fast bowler struck again when he bowled Evison for 22 off 26 balls.
Rishabh Pant lights up the day –
The eyes of the fans were on Rishabh Pant who has been under fire for his bad form in recent times. The 24 year old who captained India against South Africa scored a mere 57 runs during the T20 series. On Friday he showed his class when he scored a 50 while batting against his team mates. He cut, drove and played some unconventional shots to weather the storm.
At the time of writing Leicester were 170 for 6 with Pant on 57 off 78 and Walker on 10.