India triumphed on Day 2 of the pink ball warm-up fixture against Prime Minister’s XI at Manuka Oval, Canberra, on Sunday, December 1, securing a comfortable victory after chasing down a target of 241. Prime Minister’s XI, after being asked to bat first, posted a total of 240 runs, thanks to a stellar century from Sam Konstas. India, in response, comfortably reached the target, finishing at 257/5 in 46 overs. The top scorers for India were Yashasvi Jaiswal (45) and Shubman Gill (50), both of whom played pivotal roles in the chase.
Captain Rohit Sharma, in a strategic move, decided to forgo his usual opening position for KL Rahul, who had impressed as an opener during the first Test in Perth. Rahul and Jaiswal provided a solid start, adding 75 runs for the first wicket. While Jaiswal had a bit of a rough start, Rahul looked solid, playing a watchful knock. Jaiswal was dismissed for 45 while attempting to go big against Charlie Anderson, but Rahul’s 27 off 44 balls came to an end when he retired himself out to allow the rest of the team a chance to bat. Rohit Sharma walked in next, but his time at the crease was short-lived, as he was dismissed for 3 off 11 balls, edging an Anderson delivery to the wicketkeeper, Oliver Davies.
Nitish Kumar Reddy came in next and joined forces with Shubman Gill. The pair added 92 runs for the fourth wicket, with Reddy playing some attractive shots, including five fours and a six during his 42-run knock off 32 balls. Gill, after recovering from injury, struck a fine half-century and, after his knock, retired himself out to give the other batters a chance to practice their strokes. This gesture of selfless play exemplified the spirit of the warm-up match, where batting practice was prioritized over personal milestones.
Following Reddy’s dismissal, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar came together and added another 37 runs. Jadeja, who had been playing a composed knock, was dismissed for 27. Sundar, however, showed great composure, finishing unbeaten on 42 and ensuring that India crossed the target with ease.
Earlier, India’s bowlers had set the tone in the morning session after Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bowl first. The overcast conditions worked in India’s favor as the seamers made early breakthroughs. Mohammed Siraj made the first breakthrough, dismissing Matt Renshaw (5) by getting him to edge a delivery to the slip fielders. In the very next over, Akash Deep sent Jayden Goodwin (4) back to the pavilion with a catch behind the stumps to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, leaving Prime Minister’s XI struggling at 22/2.
However, after the early blows, Sam Konstas and Jack Clayton forged a solid 109-run partnership for the third wicket. The duo took the team’s score past 130, putting India on the back foot. But Harshit Rana turned the tide for India, breaking the partnership by removing Jack Clayton for 40 runs off 52 balls, shattering his stumps. Two balls later, Rana struck again, dismissing Olivier Davies for a two-ball duck, which left Prime Minister’s XI at 131/4.
Rana’s spell didn’t end there, as he continued to wreak havoc, taking two more wickets in quick succession. Prasidh Krishna also got into the act, getting a vital wicket to leave Prime Minister’s XI at 138/7 in just 25.3 overs. Despite the mounting pressure at the other end, Konstas kept fighting back, showing grit and determination. He reached his century off 90 balls, an innings studded with 14 boundaries and a six. Konstas added a crucial 67 runs with Hanno Jacobs, who also played a brilliant knock of 61 runs off 60 balls.
Konstas’ resistance finally ended when he was dismissed for 107 by Akash Deep, who removed him after a hard-fought battle. Jacobs continued his steady knock, but after his dismissal, the lower order couldn’t last long, and the Prime Minister’s XI was bowled out for 240 in 43.2 overs. Harshit Rana finished with excellent figures of 4/44, while Akash Deep took 2/58, leading India’s bowling charge.
One surprising aspect of the match was the absence of Ravichandran Ashwin from the bowling attack. Ashwin, India’s premier off-spinner, was not called upon to bowl at any point during the day’s play, which raised questions among commentators and fans. There was no official explanation for his omission, and it remains unclear whether it was a tactical decision or due to other factors.
India’s chase was largely smooth sailing, with their top and middle order clicking. Jaiswal’s 45 and Gill’s 50 set the tone for the chase, while Reddy’s explosive cameo and Sundar’s composed knock helped them reach the target with ease. The victory not only provided India with crucial match practice but also showed their depth and adaptability in both batting and bowling. This warm-up fixture offered India the opportunity to fine-tune their strategies ahead of the upcoming matches, providing ample batting and bowling practice to prepare for more intense competition.
With contributions from a variety of players, from the top order to the lower middle order, India will look to build on this confidence as they continue their tour. The team’s performance in both departments, particularly with Harshit Rana’s impressive bowling, will be key as they progress through the series, keeping them in good stead for the challenges ahead.
