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On Day 1 of the warm-up game between India A and Australia A, Ajinkya Rahane scored a brilliant century to help his side reach a respectable total after early blows at the Drummoyne Oval in Sydney on Sunday. The Indian Test vice-captain was well assisted by Cheteshwar Pujara, who smashed a gritty half-century.
The two veteran batsmen rescued India A after three early wickets and took the total to 237/8 at stumps. While Pujara got out for 54, Rahane remained unbeaten till the end of day’s play, scoring 108 with the help of 17 boundaries including a six.
Indian openers Shubman Gill and Prithvi Shaw were removed for ducks by Michael Neser and James Pattinson, respectively. Soon, Jackson Bird adjudged Hanuma Vihari leg before wicket on 15.
Pujara and Rahane steadied the innings by adding a crucial 76-run partnership for the fourth wicket before Australia A bounced back to reduce India A to 128/6 with Pujara, Wriddhiman Saha (0) and Ravichandran Ashwin (5) falling in quick succession.
Some vital runs came from the lower order as Kuldeep Yadav scored a patient 78-ball 15 and Umesh Yadav ♛chipped in with a quickfire 24 off 18 deliveries.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
End of Day 1: Ajinkya Rahane's unbeaten 108, Cheteshwar Pujara's 54 take Indians to 237/8 at stumps.
— BCCI (@BCCI)
A century fꦯor Ajinkya Rahane, a reminder for Australian fans that India bat a lot deeper than Kohli and Pujaꦉra.
— Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny)
Ajinkya Rahane has begun the tour with✤ a super 100
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73)
Century for Ajinkya Rahane , looking in good touch and has also gained confidence.
Good signs for India ahead of Test Series.— a. (@ashwrathe)
Here's some fun with numbers ….
At this very point – with on 107* in the warm-up match against Australia A …
Ajinkya Rahane (at 107* in his 146th FC match): 10988 runs, 34 x 100s
Sunil Gavaskar (after his 🌺146th FC Match): 10988 runs, 32 x 100s
— Arun Gopalakrishnan (@statanalyst)
The century for bodes well. Impo♈rtant that him and got a lot of time in the middle. Keen to see the op💛eners get runs in the 2nd innings.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
//twitte🏅r.com/YashGawade2002/status/1335482266219233🎀282
Hundred for Ajinkya Rahane in the first practice game. What a wonderful knock he's played, handled James Pattinson really well, really amazing to see him scoring runs. Hopefully the form continues against the main pace attack also in the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)
Rahane scores century, Pujara half century v Aus A side, Ind💫ia’s 🅘build up for the Test series gets boost
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah)
Top innings and an important one for Ajinky🀅a . Glad , can ⭕see the side game .
— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7)
Well Played and well supported by
— Soochin 🏏 (@cricdrugs)
Ex꧃cellent 100 from will give him a lot of confidence going into Adelaide.
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar)
Top hundred by skipper Ajinkya Rahane✤. Batting hasn’t🐭 been easy against quality Australia A attack. Rahane’s good form augurs well for India in the upcoming Test series
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang)
Shaw, Gill and Saha were out for ducks, but Ajinkya Rahane scores a century in India's first practice match against Australia A. Good to see him set up some form.
— Siddarth Srinivas (@sidhuwrites)
Cricket filled Sunday. Very happy watching look good & get a classic, patient, confident ton. Very imp knock g𓆏etting into the big 4 tests!
Now l🔯et’s quickly win the 2nd T20! Curious to see who the playing 11 will be today!
— Saiyami Kher (@SaiyamiKher)
Ajinꦡk𝓀ya Rahane had to work hard early to survive the morning session and has looked very secure since. Good signs heading into the Test series
— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket)
Leading from the front Skipp🐈er with a gritty 💯 in t💧he first tour game against Australia A.
— Rajal Arora (@RajalArora)
