Bharat rescues struggling India in warm-up match vs Leicestershire

LEICESTER, June 23: Wicketkeeper Srikar Bharat impressed with an unbeaten 70, even as India’s top-order failed to get batting practice on the first day of their warm-up match against Leicestershire here on Thursday.
Opting to bat after winning the toss, India’s top guns failed to fire as the visitors slipped to 81 for five. However, Bharat shone during his 158-minute stay in the middle before rain brought an early end to the day’s proceedings at Grace Road.
The 28-year-old batter hit eight fours and a six while facing 111 balls. At stumps, Mohammed Shami was giving Bharat company on 18.
Skipper Rohit Sharma (25) and Shubman Gill (21) got out after getting starts. The opening duo, added 35 runs for the first wicket before the latter was dismissed by fast-medium bowler Will Davis.
India’s first-choice wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, who was representing the English county side alongside Cheteshwar Pujara, Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna, held on to the catch of Gill, who found the fence four times while lasting 38 minutes.
For the addition of another 15 runs, India lost the wicket of Rohit, who hit three fours during his 64-minute stay in the middle. Rohit’s departure paved the way for Virat Kohli’s arrival, and the former India captain looked to take the onus upon himself to prop up India.
In between, Hanuma Vihari (3) came on to bat at number three but departed cheaply off the bowling of Roman Walker.
Shreyas Iyer failed to open his account, having nicked Prasidh to the waiting hands of Pant. All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja too failed to make an impact as he was adjudged lbw off the bowling of Roman Walker, who finished the day with impressive figures of 5/24. (PTI)