The India national cricket team registered a six-wicket win over Prime Minister’s XI in the pink-ball practice match played at the Manuka Oval ground in Canberra. The Indian team led by Rohit Sharma was given a target of 241 runs which the team chased down with ease. It was a combined effort by Rohit Sharma and Co wherein both bowlers and batters played at their best to win the match. The match was also very important in order to practice for the big pink-ball Test against Australia beginning from December 6 at the Adelaide Oval ground in Adelaide.
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Team India Defeat Prime Minister’s XI
Batting first, Prime Minister’s XI were wrapped up for 240 runs wherein opener Sam Konstas slammed a hundred and played a vital knock of 107 runs from 97 balls. The hosts didn’t start off well as they lost quick wickets of opener Matt Renshaw and Jayden Goodwin. Akash Deep picked up both the wickets and tried to put the PM XI under pressure. However, Konstas put up a stand of 109 runs from 103 balls for the third wicket along with Jack Clayton. Both the batters helped the hosts come out of trouble and put a strong foundation of the big score.
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However, the Indian team fought back well as Harshit Rana picked four wickets in the span of just six balls. Rana dismissed Jack Clayton, Oliver Davies, Jack Edwards and Sam Harper in quick successions. Prime Minister’s XI were 138/7 at one stage and it looked like they will get bowled out under 200 runs. However, Sam Konstas had another plans and slammed a brilliant hundred. At the end, PM XI put up a score of 240 runs while batting in the first innings.
Indian openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul started off pretty well as they added 75 runs for the first wicket before Jaiswal fell against Charlie Anderson. Rahul was soon retired hurt and in came to bat captain Rohit Sharma. However, Rohit’s stay at the crease wasn’t long enough as the latter gave away his wicket to Anderson. On the other hand, batters such as Shubman Gill and Nitish Kumar Reddy had different plans and batted with a high strike rate.
The duo added 92 runs from 80 balls for the fourth wicket, which had almost secured Team India’s victory. Gill was retired hurt whereas Reddy gave away his wicket while trying to attack Lloyd Pope. In the end, Ravindra Jadeja and Washinton Sundar put up a match deciding partnership which helped the Indian team cross the line. Team India had achieved the target inside 43 overs, however, extra time was allotted to the Indian team so that they can get more pink ball practice.
