A few strange things have happened in the ongoing warm-up game between India and Leicestershire. Indian players – Navdeep Saini and Kamlesh Nagarkoti -- who were not in the playing XI earlier, got a chance to play for Leicestershire in the second innings. But one move on Day 3 stunned everyone. Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja walked out to bat after Cheteshwar Pujara got out in the second session.
Jadeja got out for a duck in the second innings. Navdeep Saini got him bowled off the second ball. While skipper Rohit Sharma did not come out to bat in the second innings, Jadeja joined Virat Kohli in the middle making his second appearance with the bat in a single innings. Later, after Kohli's wicket, Shreyas Iyer came out for the second time as well.
Pujara bats for both sides
The warm-up game does not qualify as a First-Class game. For a game to be recognised as First-Class, a definitive playing XI needs to be named beforehand. It is very common for teams to have an extended lineup in the warm-up games. Even in the ongoing game, Pujara batted for both Leicestershire and the Indian side. The veteran walked out to bat in the second innings as he was dismissed for a duck by Mohammed Shami on Day 2.
Rohit holds back
There is also a possibility of Rohit walking out to bat for Leicestershire. The opener sent wicketkeeper-batter Srikar Bharat to open the innings alongside Shubman Gill in the second innings. Earlier, Rohit scored 25 runs in the first innings.
Kohli finds form
Meanwhile, Kohli found his form on Day 3 scoring a half-century. The shot over point for a six off Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling turned out to be the highlight of his 67-run knock in the second session. In the first innings, he got out leg before wicket to Roman Walker. On Day 3, he scored 67 runs.
No Ashwin so far
So far, there have been many players from the Indian extended squad who have made an appearance. However, one player missing from the field is Ravichandran Ashwin. The veteran off-spinner recently recovered from Covid-19 had joined the team in Leicester ahead of the rescheduled Test against England which will be played from July 1 at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
