India A vs Australia A Day 2 Live – Cameron Green enters the century as AUS A takes the lead: Cameron Green broke the century when Australia A rallied to take the lead after losing the first wickets on Day 2 after India A declared 247 for 9 on Monday in Sydney. For visitors, Umesh Yadav has bagged three plots so far, while Ravichandran Ashwin and Mohammed Siraj have chosen two plots each.
Earlier, Ajinkya Rahane prepared for the long-awaited four-round series against Australia with a century settled on opening day. Rahane (117 * of 242 balls), leading the team, and Cheteshwar Pujara (54 of 140 balls), who will be India’s hitting mainstay, especially once Virat Kohli goes on paternity leave after the first test, they shared a 76-run position for the fourth wicket after India A dropped to 40-for-3 early Sunday.
The Mumbaikar then added 69 with Kuldeep Yadav (15) to keep India A.
Rahane, who won the toss and decided to hit, watched the ball closely and punished any pitch too short or too short to pick up 16 limits and a six during his long stint in the area.
Returning to action after nearly nine months, Pujara got in shape immediately and his innings were intertwined with five fours.
Pujara played the leg shot to pick up three limits in the fine leg area, two of them in successive deliveries by James Pattinson in the ninth.
On the stumps, Rahane and Mohammed Siraj (0) were on the fold.
Previously, Shubman Gill and Prithvi Shaw, who are fighting for one of the top spots on the test team, did not have good chances after registering ducks.
While Gill overcame the first ball that faced Marcus Harris on the third slip, Shaw gave one to wicketkeeper Tim Paine as India slipped to 6-for-2 in the third.
Playing his first competitive game since the coronavirus-induced breakup, Hanuma Vihari (15) looked good for a while before Jackson Bird found him up front in 19th.
Pujara and Rahane then teamed up to stabilize the entrances. The former reached his fifties with a deep shot in the middle of the wicket at 45 on which he gave up three runs.
Pujara was fired in ’47, caught in the leg ravine by Harris in front of Pattinson.
Back in action after recovering from a hamstring injury, Wriddhiman Saha, a contender for the wicket maintenance post, had a depressing outing as he was left with nothing after being caught by Travis Head at the 50º.
Ravichandran Ashwin (5) became Pattinson’s third victim as India entered the tea break with 128 for six in 53 overs with Kuldeep joining Rahane in the middle.
Rahane struggled a bit after the break before reaching fifty with a cut over six from Pattinson at 61st.
Rahane kept the score going, but Head eliminated Kuldeep, who misjudged a sweep shot as the side fell to 197 of 7.
For Australia, Pattinson, who played a crucial role in the title-winning IPL campaign of the Mumbai Indians, continued his hot streak with three wickets.
Pacemaker Michael Neser (2/51) and Bird (1/34) also shot well, while skipper Travis Head also picked up two wickets with his detour.
