"BGT ka trailer" - Fans react as India A get bowled out for 107 in 1st unofficial Test against Australia A
India A's first unofficial Test against Australia A kicked off at Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay, on Thursday, October 31. The hosts won the toss and chose to field first. India A managed only 107 runs, drawing criticism from fans.
The Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side suffered an embarrassing batting collapse in the first innings. The visitors went down without a fight, getting bundled out for a paltry score.
Devdutt Padikkal was the top scorer for the touring party with his 36-run knock. Pacer Navdeep Saini contributed 23 runs lower down the order, helping the India A side cross the 100-run mark.
Brendan Doggett was the pick of the bowlers for Australia A. The right-arm pacer stole the show with his bowling exploits, registering career-best figures of 6/15.
Following India A's dismal show with the bat, several fans took to social media to express their disappointment, with some even suggesting that this could be a trailer for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Here are some of the top reactions:
Many fans seemed worried about the Indian batters' recent failures in red-ball cricket.
"Batting technique getting exposed...Our Batting is on decline in tst format no idea what r we supposed to do....Long Ranji Format is mjor reason for such downfall..Too many wasteful domestic tournaments outdated ones..Wake up @BCCI start living in new era," a fan wrote.
"They are nothing without flat tracks," another commented.
"Early demonstration of what is going to happen at Optus on 22 Nov," another user chimed in.
India A and Australia A will compete in two unofficial Test matches. Ruturaj Gaikwad and company will take on India's senior team in an intra-squad three-day match ahead of the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test.
Mukesh Kumar helps India A get off to a brilliant start with the ball
After being bowled out for 107, the onus was on India A bowlers to put up a strong fight. Seamer Mukesh Kumar provided his team with an ideal start, drawing first blood in the very first over of Australia A's innings.
Mukesh dismissed Sam Konstas on the third ball of his first over. Australia A lost their second wicket early as well, with Prasidh Krishna getting rid of Cameron Bancroft in the fourth over.
At the time of writing, Australia A were 78/4 in 30 overs, with Nathan McSweeney (19*) and Cooper Connolly (3*) at the crease. Mukesh and Prasidh have bagged two wickets each so far.