India's star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant starred on Day 2 of the warm-up game. Playing for Leicestershire, Pant top-scored with 87-ball 76 to almost even the proceedings after the first innings of both sides.
Gill attacks
India's second innings got off to a decent start as openers Shubman Gill and Srikar Bharat shared a 62-run partnership. Promoted up the order after an unbeaten 70 on Day 1, Bharat picked off where he left and negotiated the new ball well.
No wicket for Walker
Gill looked to score quickly and hit a 34-ball 38 before getting out to teammate Navdeep Saini. Gill hit as many as eight boundaries during his short stay at the crease. Skipper Rohit Sharma did not come out to bat on Day 2 and sent Hanuma Vihari at no.3. Before stumps, India had 80/1 on the board from 18 overs. Leicestershire skipper gave the new ball to Roman Walker, the 21-year-old who took a fifer in the first innings. Walker remained wicketless with the new ball.
Shami gets new ball talking
Earlier, Rohit declared India's first innings for 246/8. Mohammed Shami was menacing with the new ball. Shami got the wicket of Leicestershire skipper Samuel Evans and his teammate Cheteshwar Pujara. The veteran Indian batter got bowled for a duck. Mohammed Siraj got a couple of wickets with his first spell as well but Pant rescued Leicestershire's innings.
Typical Pant knock
Teaming up with Rishi Patel, Pant shared a 58-run partnership for the fifth wicket. With wickets falling at the other end, Pant looked to attack and got to his half-century. The southpaw hit 14 fours and one six in his 76-run knock.
Pant's rampant knock was ended by Ravindra Jadeja. Patel and Walker contributed with respective 34-run knocks as well to help Leicestershire post 244 before getting all out. For India, Shami, Jadeja took three wickets each whereas Siraj and Sharduk Thakur took couple of wickets each.
With an 82-run lead in India’s bag, the result of the four-day warm-up game is highly likely in the upcoming two days.
