The first warm-up game for India against County XI ahead of the Test series against England had plenty of action, and we take a look at the talking points from the game.

Several big stars from India, including Virat Kohli, missed the match but it offered the perfect opportunity for the likes of KL Rahul and Hanuma Vihari to make the most of their chances. Though the game ended in a draw, India will count the positives, which were in abundance.

KL Rahul shines with an unexpected hundred

With all eyes on players such as Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohit Sharma, and Mayank Agarwal, it was KL Rahul who stole the show with a hundred to prove his mettle in the first innings of the warm-up match. Playing in the absence of Rishabh Pant and Wriddhiman Saha, who were in isolation after the former tested positive for Covid-19, Rahul, also taking the gloves, grabbed the opportunity with both hands as he scored a fine ton against County XI. After his side had been reduced to 107-4, Rahul, batting at five, anchored the innings with a composed knock that could potentially see him play in the middle order in the upcoming series.

With Ajinkya Rahane’s inconsistencies becoming a huge talking point, Rahul’s ton at five could increase the pressure on the senior pros. Question marks also remain over India’s openers following Shubman Gill’s injury, and his knock could mean that Rahul, who had scored a hundred on the fifth day of the last Test in England in 2018 while opening, can be given a go alongside Rohit Sharma as well.

Ravindra Jadeja’s batting provides a problem of plenty

Ravichandran Ashwin, not considered a first-choice overseas spinner overseas for most tours, has been a revelation in the last few months in the format. After picking up 12 wickets against Australia in three Tests, he carried forward his form in the home series against England where he pocketed 32 scalps besides scoring a fighting hundred in the absence of Jadeja.

The off-spinner was the more lethal spinner in the recent World Test Championship final against New Zealand, picking up four wickets during the match in conditions that had little to no help for the slower bowlers. Ravindra Jadeja, touted as one of the best all-rounders in the world, only sent down 15.2 overs during the final, with Virat Kohli calling on the player when his seamers needed rest.

Ashwin, who also picked up a six-wicket haul in his Surrey debut against Somerset earlier this month, seemingly had pipped Jadeja in the XI for the first Test, but the latter’s batting form in the warm-up match has given India a problem of plenty. With scores of 75 and 51 against County XI, Jadeja emerged as a better batsman but purely on bowling form — he picked up one wicket in 15 overs while conceding 3.66 an over in the warm-up — Ashwin is miles ahead.

With two spinners unlikely to feature, should Kohli ignore Ashwin’s recent run or go in with a player who adds batting depth but might not be as threatening with the ball?

Umesh Yadav bowls an incisive spell

Umesh Yadav has fallen down the pecking order with the emergence of Mohammad Siraj and all-rounder Shardul Thakur, but he gave a reminder of his skills with an incisive spell on day two of the warm-up match. Bowling in short spells with a fair bit of pace, the quick ended with 3-22 in 15 overs to skittle out County XI for 220 despite a century by Haseeb Hameed.

Umesh first castled Jake Libby with a delivery that angled in that saw two stumps being knocked out, and then dismissed Will Rhodes with a beauty. The delivery straightened after pitching with Umesh coming round the wicket to knock Rhodes’ off-stump. His third wicket was off a short ball that Lyndon James mistimed.

The Vidarbha player still might not make the XI for the first Test against England, but his performance will be a big boost ahead of a long series.

Pujara opens — a precursor of things to come?

Cheteshwar Pujara, who has opened five times in his career and has a ton at the position, was asked to face the new ball in the second innings alongside Mayank Agarwal against County XI. Though he could score only 38, Pujara looked solid in the middle in a knock that came off 58 deliveries.

The fact that the cricketer was sent in to open could mean two things: The Indians are looking to try out different opening combinations considering Mayank Agarwal’s technical flaws in Australia, and Pujara, who has taken on the role before is being seen as a potential opener. The move also opens up a slot for Rahul in the middle order.

Hanuma Vihari gets game time

After a fighting knock in Sydney earlier this year, Hanuma Vihari did not get many chances due to injury, but his return to the Indian side (albeit in a warm-up game) was a pleasant one as he scored 43 off 105 deliveries in the second innings. The batsman, who has played 11 of his 12 Tests away from home, has played a number of solid knocks in tough conditions in the past and further displayed why he should be in the plans with another composed knock against County XI. His direct competition is expected to be Rahul, who was lucky to be given a go after both Saha and Pant were unfit to play the game.

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