After a dance on the Slumdog Millionaire song ‘Jai Ho’ on Day 1 of the practice match between Essex and India, Day 2 was graced with a Bhangra performance as the batsmen came out to bat. The locals of Chelmsford (probably of Indian-origin) were dancing as Indian batsmen Dinesh Karthik and Hardik Pandya walked out to bat in the first session of the practice match.
The two batters make their way to the ground with a traditional welcome by the locals.#ESSvIND pic.twitter.com/uqqPt9pOvl
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 26, 2018
On July 25, Indian skipper Virat Kohli was presented with the 2017 & 2018 ‘International Player of the Year’ mementoes by Barmy Army.
Say cheese
The @TheBarmyArmy presents #TeamIndia Captain @imVkohli with the International Player of the Year for years 2017 and 2018. pic.twitter.com/sr0Z7TkDYv
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 25, 2018
However, Karthik got out on the first ball of Day 1 while trying to take the aerial route. Paul Walter bowled one outside the off stump and Karthik went after it. He could not time it well as the ball carried to third man fielder Matt Dixon who completed the catch.
First ball of the day … first wicket of the day! Karthik is caught by Matt Dixon at third man from the bowling of Paul Walter#ESSvIND
Watch live here: https://t.co/0WMzSvtsrw pic.twitter.com/agQSgkhKC4
— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) July 26, 2018
The wicketkeeper-batsman scored 82 runs from 95 deliveries at a strike rate of 86.32, including 15 boundaries. He rescued the side after Kohli’s wicket and stitched partnerships with KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya to get India past the score of 300. He shared a 114-run partnership with Rahul followed by a 61-run partnership with Pandya.
Earlier, India’s top order struggled against the seam bowling on the green pitch. Shikhar Dhawan departed for a golden duck, Cheteshwar Pujara also got out for a duck and Ajinkya Rahane’s wicket fell after scoring in double digits. Murali Vijay, skipper Kohli, Rahul and Pandya scored half-centuries to keep the ship afloat.
ALSO READ: A Bit Much? Essex Cricket Pokes Fun At Virat Kohli With ‘Not Bad At Cricket’ Remark
It will be interesting to see what desi flavour Chelmsford locals come up with on Day 3 of the practice game.
