Comeback man Yuvraj Singh notched up an impressive half-century after opener Abhinav Mukund played an attacking knock of 73 as India ‘A’ reached 224 for six at tea on day one of their three-day match against the touring England side on Tuesday. Yuvraj struck seven sweetly timed fours and four well-hit sixes, two each off left-arm spinner Samit Patel and Graeme Swann, in his 80-ball 59. He fell pray to off-spinner Swann, who deceived the southpaw in flight and was stumped by wicket-keeper Matt Prior.
India ‘A’ added 111 runs in the second session after witnessing an unconvincing start at the Brabourne Stadium.
Manoj Tiwary (21 in 55 balls) and Irfan Pathan (11 in 33 balls) were at the crease when the tea interval was taken.
The home team, who had lost Mukund, Murali Vijay (7) and Ajinkya Rahane (4) in their first session total of 113, surrendered the wickets of skipper Suresh Raina (20), Yuvraj and Wridhiman Saha (20) after lunch.
Yuvraj, eager to bag the number 6 slot in the Test line-up for the upcoming four-Test series against the visitors ahead of Raina, impressed the selectors present with his shot selection before his impetuosity cost him his wicket when he tried to clout Swann, who bowled beautifully, for a second six in the same over.
Unbeaten on 27 at lunch, Yuvraj, after being dropped first ball at square leg, showed good touch when he cover-drove Tim Bresnan for a four in the second over after the break.
But both he and Raina, who had replaced Mukund after lunch, were kept on a tight leash by Swann.
And when Patel was brought on at the other end, the home side captain was eager to punish him like Yuvraj had done earlier, but departed by giving a bat-pad catch to short-leg fielder Ian Bell after being lured out of the crease by the left-arm spinner.
—PTI