HIGHLIGHTS

• Rishabh Pant and Mayank Agarwak scored fifties as pratice match vs NZ ended in draw
• Shubma Gill failed with the bat against as he was removed for 8
• India skipper Virat Kohli did not come out to bat in both the innings

India’s 3-day practice test match against New Zealand ended with a draw, where Rishabh Pant and Mayank Aggarwal were seen scoring fifties. The practice match was a opportunity for both the teams to show their strengths and prepare for the upcoming 2 match test series that begins from 21 Feburary in Wellington.

After the disappointment for Indian team on 1st day of the match where, they lost 3 wickets for 5 runs. Some batting skills were shown by Indian batsman in the 2nd innings especially Rishabh Pant who managed to lift the scoreboard, after struggling with recent loose performances.

Similarly, Mayank Aggarwal who went back to pavilion for 1, in the previous innings also was seen in the innings making his comeback but opener Prithvi Shaw once again failed to convert his good start in a big one after marking team’s 1st wicket in 2nd innings on 56 runs.

Shubman Gill, one of the three contenders to open for India in the 1st Test next week, fell cheaply again after his 1st ball-duck on the opening day, thus making it easier for the team management to pick their new opening combination in absence of injured Rohit Sharma.

Thereafter young wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, stitched a solid 100-run stand with Agarwal before the latter retired for 81. Agarwal’s 81 came after he bagged a pair while batting for New Zealand A.

Making his ODI debut, the opener could manage just 32, 3 and 1 in the recently concluded series against New Zealand.