BASSETERRE (ST KITTS): India’s opening pair of Shikhar Dhawan (51 batting) and KL Rahul (37 batting) provided a solid platform taking the score to 93 for no loss at lunch on the first day of the two-day opening warm-up fixture against West Indies Board President’s XI.
Left-handed Dhawan looked compact as his 50 came off 88 balls with seven boundaries while Rahul looked equally comfortable during his innings of 37.
None of the West Indian bowlers could trouble the Indian batsmen during the 28 overs in the first session after skipper Virat Kohli opted to bat having won the toss.
The rules allow 12 players to play while 11 could field. India decided to rest off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and opener Murali Vijay, both believed to be first team regulars. India started cautiously in the beginning even though Rahul hit a lovely square cut while Dhawan also played some nice looking strokes on the off-side.
BRIEF SCORES: India (vs WICB XI at Lunch) 93/0 in 28 overs (Shikhar Dhawan 51 batting, KL Rahul 37 batting).