Pant, Vihari shine on day 2 with contrasting hundreds
December 12, 2020 by Cricbuzz Staff
Hanuma Vihari and Rishabh Pant scored contrasting hundreds
Hanuma Vihari and Rishabh Pant composed a contrasting and undefeated hundreds, while Shubman Gill and Mayank Agarwal compiled fifty tools when India XI took control of proceedings against Australia A in practice play at the Sydney Cricket Ground. India XI was 386/4 at the end of Day 2’s game, leading by 472.
The visitors, however, did not start the day on a good note, with Mark Steketee eliminating Prithvi Shaw. At that point, Agarwal and Gill joined forces to stitch a second 104 wicket bracket. However, against the game’s progress, Gill fell to Mitchell Swepson, with Sean Abbott making a good catch on the slips. Jack Wildermuth, the off-roader, fired Mayank with Patrick Rowe catching the catch in the deep.
Reading 161 out of 3 on the score, Rahane and Vihari put together another helpful 78 partnership before Steketee evicted the first. Pant then joined Vihari with the duo sharing an entertaining and undefeated position of 147 in just under 23 overs. Vihari completed his 100th with a Wildermuth single at the 86th. Meanwhile, Pant pressed the gas pedal, breaking a series of four and six.
The wicketkeeper-batter hit as many as nine fours and six sixes, and finished the day in style by toning Wildermuth by four limits and a six. In the process, he also reached his century after the last ball of the day with a cap. With the hundred, Pant also pushed his case to enter the XI of India for the opening test in Adelaide. Meanwhile, Steketee picked up a couple of plots for Australia A.
Earlier in the day, Steketee replaced Harry Conway as a surrogate for concussion. Rowe is the other surrogate for concussion, with Victoria’s goalie-hitter replacing Cameron Green.
Brief scores: India XI 194 and 386/4 (Hanuma Vihari 104 *, Rishabh Pant 103 *; Mark Steketee 2-54) lead Australia A 108 by 472 runs.
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