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Indian men’s cricket team has started their practice for the T20 World Cup on a positive note. Rohit Sharma and Co. registered an impressive 13-run win over Western Australia in the match held at the WACA, Perth on Monday. Batting first, India posted a competitive 158/6 in their 20 overs. Western Australia, in reply, could score only 145/8 in their 20 overs.
Hello and welcome to the WACA for our practice match against Western Australia.
Match to start at 1.30 PM local 11 AM IST. pic.twitter.com/4jaid7B5Nt
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 10, 2022
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India played the game with several changes in the team. The idea was to give more chances to all the members of the team. Senior batter and No.3 mainstay Virat Kohli was rested and Deepak Hooda was the replacement batter. Hooda scored 22 before being dismissed. India also rested KL Rahul, who is Rohit’s usual opening partner.
Major boost from the game
Indian bowlers did an excellent job of containing the WA batters. They had several experienced players on the team. However, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, and Yuzvendra Chahal curtailed the batters. They grabbed two, three, and two wickets, respectively. Bhuvi returning to form and Arshdeep complementing him is a major plus for the bowling which was earlier named weak by the opposition.
A look at the pitch for our practice match against Western Australia.
Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant walk out to open the innings. pic.twitter.com/Qzxs10zPUJ
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 10, 2022
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Another major plus was the death bowling. India only conceded 30 runs in the last four overs, and it was indeed a pleasing sight. Earlier, they performed poorly in the Asia Cup, and bilateral T20Is against Australia and South Africa. This performance will improve their momentum.
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The form of the third pacer, Harshal Patel, is a cause for concern. Harshal went for 53 runs in his four overs. It was yet again a disappointing outing for the star cricketer. Opening the innings, Indian batter Rishabh Pant scored only 9 off 16 balls, and he will eye an improved show.
Innings Break!#TeamIndia post a total of 158/6
Suryakumar Yadav 52 off 35 (3×4, 3×6)
Hardik Pandya 29 off 20 pic.twitter.com/ghN3R0coqr— BCCI (@BCCI) October 10, 2022
India also did not raise the score much in the slog overs, and their middle order did not set the stage on fire. Suryakumar Yadav top scored with 52 for the Men in Blue. India will look to form a set combination before the start of the World Cup.
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