NEWS
Follow UsIndia A openers Abhimanyu Easwaran and KL Rahul were dismissed for a three-ball duck and a run-a-ball four, respectively, on November 7 (Thursday) in the ongoing second unofficial Test against Australia A at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
In fact, India A were reduced to 11/4 inside the first 16 deliveries of the match, with Michael Neser picking up three and Scott Boland picking up the other. India A's No. 3 Sai Sudharsan was out for a golden duck, while skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad managed four off six deliveries.
Easwaran, who had earned a call-up to the five-match Test series against Australia, was in terrific form ahead of the Australia tour, having notched up four tons in his last 10 innings. However, he has managed 7, 12 and 0 in his three innings so far in the tour.
On the other hand, Rahul, who was dropped for the last two Tests against New Zealand at home, was added late into the India A squad along with wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel, who scored a fighting 80. In his 12 Tests since 2022, Rahul has just 514 runs at 25.70 with one century in three fifties in 21 innings.
With Rohit Sharma likely to miss the first Test in Perth, it would have been a toss-up between Rahul and Easwaran to occupy the vacant opener's spot alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal. However, with both not scoring big, it's set to cause more headaches for the Indian team management, especially after the drubbing team India suffered at the hands of New Zealand at home. The duo will look to make amends in the second innings to make their case.
The five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) will kick start from November 22 in Perth.
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