Gill hits 92, India A 233/3 at stumps

Mysuru, September 17

Shubman Gill, recently selected into the Indian Test squad, scored a fine 92 as India A reached 233/3 at the end of first day’s play in the second unofficial Test against South Africa A here today. 

Opener Gill struck 12 fours and a six before falling eight runs short of a century. Gill had missed a 100 in the first match at Thiruvananthapuram as well, when he had scored 90 in the first innings.

Karun Nair was batting on 78 and skipper Wriddhiman Shah was on 36 at stumps, called after only 74 overs due to bad light.

Early setback

Sent in to bat by visiting captain Aiden Markram, India A didn’t enjoy the best of starts with West Bengal opener Abhimanyu Easwaran (5) falling lbw to Lungi Ngidi in the sixth over. Gujarat batsman Priyank Panchal, a prolific scorer in the domestic circuit like Easwaran, batted for 39 balls before getting dismissed for six, leaving India A in trouble at 31/2.

The South African attack — which included Vernon Philander, Ngidi, Luthu Sipamla and Wiaan Mulder — bowled with a lot of discipline and did not offer the rival batsmen easy scoring opportunities.

Gill, along with Nair, got a move on with some good shots. They added 35 runs in less than 10 overs before lunch. The Punjab right-hander showed impressive technique in dealing with the pacers and spinner Dane Piedt, who had done well in the first match.

8 short of 100 

The 20-year-old Gill played some lovely shots on both sides of the wicket and added 135 runs in 34 overs with Nair. Gill seemed to be on course for a century, but offered a catch to Senuran Muthusamy off Sipamla.

Nair too played some beautiful shots, also adding 67 runs for the fourth wicket with Saha. Philander bowled steadily but couldn’t pick up a wicket while Ngidi (1/41), Mulder (1/19) and Sipamla (1/54) got a scalp each.

India A made a few changes to the team after victory in the first game, with Saha coming in for KS Bharat and Kuldeep Yadav, who is part of the squad for the Tests against South Africa, replacing K Gowtham. Umesh Yadav was brought into the playing XI in place of Shardul Thakur. — PTI

Brief scores: India A: 233/3 in 74 overs (Gill 92, Nair 78*, Saha 36*; Mulder 1/19)