Virendra Sehwag and Dinesh Karthik the two players who were struggling to find their place in the playing XI signs in the three day tour match against ACTXI. Both came out to bat as opener in 2nd inning at Canberra and put on 158 runs for the first wicket.
This was the last chance before they can show some form before Indian think management pick final playing XI for Perth test. Virender Sehwag and Dinesh Karthik came up with sparkling knocks to guide the Indians to 281 for four declared against the Australian Capital Territorial Invitational XI.
In reply ACTXI were 60/3 before match was declared as drawn. In 2nd Inning of ACTXI Pankaj Singh also showed good form with ball by picking up two crucial wickets while Irfan Pathan picked one wickets.
Earlier ACTXI captain declared their inning on overnight score of 292/8. Indian came out with new opening pair in the face of Virendra Sehwag and Dinesh Karthik. Both were positive from the word go. Virendra Sehwag murdered the ACTXI bowling by smashing 113 runs of just 78 balls, hitting 18 fours and two sixes.
On the other hand Dinesh Karthik played with caution and aggression before fell short of hundred on 97 runs with 12 lusty boundaries to his name. After dismissal of Karthik, Yuvraj Singh came out to bat but his horror run with the bat in Australia continued as the southpaw fell for only three runs. With both Karthik and Sehwag breathing down Yuvraj’s neck and a poor show in Canberra (five runs in the two innings), the Southpaw's chances to make the final cut for the third Test seem slim.
Wasim Jaffer who hit classy 97 runs in first inning manage just 21 runs in 2nd inning before given out caught behind, which was another bad decision by umpire. When India decalred there 2nd inning Rahul Dravid (16* runs) and Irfan Pathan (18* runs) were the two not out batsman at the creases at tea time.
Now India will play Australia in third test match at Wacca Ground, Perth from 16th of January (Wednesday). Match will start from 07:30 AMIndia time.
