It was a productive day out for Team India batters as the visitors put up a modest total of 322-6 at stumps on Day 1 of the three-day game against Essex.
After having opted to bat first, the Indian camp lost three of its batsmen in quick succession. Shikhar Dhawan who came out to open the innings with Murali Vijay fell for a golden duck when he nicked Matt Coles in the first over.
Cheteshwar Pujara too was dismissed in a similar fashion for one run, before Ajinkya Rahane (17) handed James Foster his third catch of the day when he edged Matt Quinn in the 19th over of the day.
Vijay and Virat Kohli then steadied India’s innings as the duo brought up their half centuries and upped the pace of the Indian innings. The Essex fast bowler Paul Walter then took the charge himself, when he first bowled Vijay for 53, followed by the prized scalp of the Indian skipper for 68 runs.
Lokesh Rahul, who came in to bat after Vijay was sent back, was then joined by Dinesh Karthik and the duo batted fashionably and amassed 114 runs between them to keep the scoreboard ticking.
While Rahul brought up his half century in 77 deliveries, Dinesh Karthik was at it from the word go and brought up his half century which was studded with fours.
It was in the 67.3 over when the re-introduction of the Essex spinner Aron Nijjar brought the downfall of Rahul who skied a ball to mid-off to hand over a catch to Matt Dixon.
Hardik Pandya then joined the party with Karthik and closed day 1 without any further loss. Pandya was unbeaten on 33 while Karthik is 18 short of a century.
Brief scores - India 322/6 in 84 overs (M Vijay 53, Virat 68, KL Rahul 58, Karthik 82*, Pandya 33*, Coles 2/31, Walter 2/90).
