Press Trust of India
Bangalore, Sept 27: Senior batsman Shikhar Dhawan (116 batting, 112b, 16×4, 2×6) proved his form and fitness in style before the South African series as he led India A’s strong reply against Bangladesh A on day one of the only unofficial cricket Test here, Sunday.
Responding to the visitors score of 228, India A rode on skipper Dhawan to post 161 for one at stumps in the three-day game at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium here. Sharing a 153-run opening stand with Abhinav Mukund (34), Dhawan carried his bat through to the end of day’s play with Shreyas Iyer for company (six batting). This was Dhawan’s first competitive knock after returning from Sri Lanka with an injured hand.
Earlier put to bat, Bangladesh A suffered from lack of partnerships as Sabbir Rahman (122 n o, 131b, 23×4, 1×6) and Shuvagata Hom (62, 95b, 9×4, 1×6) stood tall amidst the ruins. Nasir Hossain (32) was the only other batsman to get into double figures as the innings saw six ducks.
Pacer Varun Aaron (4/45) and off-spinner Jayant Yadav bagged (4/28) four wickets each to rip through the Bangladesh A batting.
Aaron destroyed through the top order and reduced Bangladesh A to four wickets for six runs as he sent back Soumya Sarkar, Mominul Haque and Litton Das in quick succession. The India pace-discard was virtually unplayable in the first few overs.
After Rahaman and Hom put on 132 runs for the sixth wicket to bring a semblance of respectability to the Bangladesh A total, it was the turn of Yadav to strike. He picked up three of his four wickets in only 11 deliveries as the visitors from six for 220 to 228 all out.
Brief scores: Bangladesh A 228 (Sabbir Rahman 122 n o, Varun Aaron 4/45, Jayant Yadav 4/28); India A 161 for one (Shikhar Dhawan 116 batting). Match to continue.
