Twitter Reactions: Wriddhiman Saha's fighting half-century helps India A save the warm-up game against Australia A

Before the commencement of the highly-anticipated four-match Border Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia from December 17 in Adelaide, India A were up against Australia A for a three-day practice match from December 6 to December 8 in Drummoyne Oval, Sydney. However, the game ended in a tame draw after the visitors collapsed in the second innings

Winning the toss, Ajinkya Rahane elected to bat first. On the back of skipper’s scintillating century (117 runs) and a half-century (54 runs) by Cheteshwar Pujara, India A decided to declare the first innings at 247/9 at the end of first day. On the second day, Umesh Yadav and his troops picked early wickets and the hosts looked in trouble.

However, the youngster Cameron Green produced an excellent century to stabilise his team and Australia A had managed to take the lead of 39 runs before the sunset with a score of 286/8. The final day of the game began with Green and Mark Steketee going strong against India’s lethal bowling attack.

Mohammed Siraj finally took the wicket of Steketee, who was playing at 10, and Australia declared their innings at 306/9 after taking a lead by 59 runs.

Mark Steketetee shines with the ball in the second innings but Saha fights for India

In the second innings, the Indian batting line-up witnessed an early collapse as the pacer Steketee breathed fire with the ball and took a five-wicket haul. The opening duo of Prithvi Shaw and Shubman Gill started on a good note as they collected 37 runs in 6.5 overs but Cameron Green named the wicket of both the batsmen. Highest run-getters of the previous innings for India, Rahane and Pujara also didn’t contribute much as the former got out on 28 while the latter bagged a duck.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha emerged as the highest run-scorer for the visiting team with his knock of 54 runs including 7 boundaries. At one stage, India A were struggling at 143/9 but Saha and Kartik Tyagi fought hard to keep the opposition at bay to add an unbeaten 46 runs in 13.1 overs. For Australia A, apart from Mark, Michael Neser and Green bagged two wickets each. India declared their second innings at 189/9 and were leading by 130 runs.

While chasing 131, Australia A received a huge blow as Joe Burns got out on a duck in the first over while Will Pucovski suffered a concussion, batting at 23. However, Marcus Harris and Travis Head remained not-out on 25 and 2 respectively as India couldn’t take any more wickets. By the end of Day 3, Australia managed only 52 runs on the board and the match resulted in a draw.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

India A vs Australia A first warmup match ended in draw:

– Pujara, Rahane, Saha, Umesh, Siraj, Ashwin has been the positives.
– Second opening spot is wide open in the absence of Rohit.
– All eyes on second warm up with Pink ball.

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 8, 2020

Mohammed Siraj in first-class cricket for India A:
(Bowling in 26 innings)

0 wickets – 1 inning
1 wicket – 6 innings
2 wickets – 5 innings
3 wickets – 5 innings
4 wickets – 6 innings
5 wickets – 2 innings
8 wickets – 1 innings#AUSAvINDA

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) December 8, 2020

Beauty! Seam bowling perfection from Michael Neser to knock over Cheteshwar Pujara #AUSAvIND pic.twitter.com/Jy55DzEySh

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 8, 2020

Like all great batsmen, Cheteshwar Pujara just sat down to watch a replay of his dismissal, analysed it briefly & internally before moving on #AUSvIND #AUSAvIND

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) December 8, 2020

Some crucial time out in the middle for our mainstays, Pujara, Rahane and Vihari. The opening woes have been further highlightened and it further justifies the calls for a Mayank -Vihari partnership at the top.

— Prashanth🏏📝 (@ps_it_is) December 8, 2020

You don’t see Pujara’s off stump pegged back too often but a peach of a delivery from Neser has done just that. Looked as though it angled in and nipped away. Pujara’s defence is breached and he goes for a duck! 2/46 #AUSAvIND

— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) December 8, 2020

Michael Neser was the only bowler to trouble Steve Smith throughout last year’s Ashes tour. And he’s now snuck through Cheteshwar Pujara’s defence and hit top of off. Does he need to do anything more to prove that #NeserMustPlay #AUSAvIND #AUSvIND

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) December 8, 2020

Lot to think about
Pujara,vihari,shaw,gill
All failed#AUSAvINDA

— Darshan (@deekuonfire) December 8, 2020

Cameron Green will remember this practice game forever, hundred vs experienced Indian Test bowlers and wickets of Shaw & Gill – One of the future of Australian cricket in longer format.

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 8, 2020

I think Siraj is unlucky…
Earlier catch dropped of his bowling
Now a close LBW call….
What do you think of it..#AUSAvINDA pic.twitter.com/ZH2buU6yAM

— GK (@NattuGk) December 8, 2020

The first practice game between India A and Australia A ended in draw. The positives for India:

-Ajinkya Rahane's form. He looked great in the first innings with his fantastic century.

-Wriddhiman Saha's match saving fifty in the second inning.

-Mohammad Siraj bowling. pic.twitter.com/YQfucb4clW

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 8, 2020