KL Rahul (68), fellow opener Prithvi Shaw (66) and Karun Nair (78) give New Zealand bowlers a work out in visitors’ opening warm-up game of limited overs tour against Board President's XI; hosts win by 30 runs despite Boult's fifer
Although the first warm-up match between Board President's XI (BP XI) and New Zealand wasn't an official game, Prithvi Shaw, KL Rahul and Karun Nair left a mark with their performances at the Brabourne Stadium yesterday.
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Board President's XI batsman Prithvi Shaw hits a shot past NZ pacer Adam Milne at Brabourne Stadium yesterday. Pics/Suresh Karkera
While Rahul (68) and Nair (78) are looking to make a comeback in the Indian team, teenager Prithvi (66) played another useful knock. Board President's XI posted 295 for nine in 50 overs with Trent Boult claiming five for 38. New Zealand were bowled out for 265 as BP XI won by 30 runs. For the visitors, Tom Latham top scored with 59 while skipper Kane Williamson ended up with 47. Shahbaz Nadeem and Jaydev Unadkat claimed three wickets each.
KL, Prithvi go bang-bang
Rahul, who was a late addition to the BP XI squad, opened the innings with Mumbai teenager Prithvi. While Rahul was expected to take on the Kiwis attack fearlessly, Prithvi, 17, did not lag behind and matched Rahul shot-for-shot as the duo posted 147 for the opening stand. Rahul was lucky to survive a couple of chances. First, wicketkeeper Latham missed an easy stumping chance when Rahul was on 28 off Mitchell Santner. Rahul again survived on 41 when Tim Southee overstepped.
BP XI left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem at CCI yesterday
Prithvi had an interesting duel with pacer Adam Milne after the former slammed a straight six. The pacer responded with a few bouncers at the teenager, who effortlessly ducked them only to add to the frustration of the Kiwis. New Zealand had a golden chance to make a comeback in the game after removing Rahul, who top edged to short fine-leg fielder, and Prithvi, who mistimed a pull shot only to hole out at long off, in successive overs.
Nair, however, was the thorn the Kiwis found difficult to remove. The Karnataka batsman was fluent in his strokeplay and looked poised for a big score, but he was caught by Colin Munro in the deep cover region while trying to go for a big one off Boult. A 300-plus total was on the cards, but Nair ran out of partners. The only notable partnership Nair forged, was with Gurkeerat Mann — a 60-run stand for the fifth wicket. The New Zealanders admitted being outplayed by a quality Indian side. They were particularly surprised with Prithvi's performance.
'Can't believe Prithvi is 17'
"I heard he was 17. I couldn't quite believe it. He played very nicely. I think the ball swung around nicely at the start. It didn't seem to trouble him. He's probably one of the many that has a promising career ahead of him, if all goes well," Boult said. NZ were nowhere close to their full intensity as they took multiple drinks breaks. They took four hours to bowl their 50 overs. The heat is definitely on the Kiwis!
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