PERTH: India’s stand-in captain KL Rahul’s cautious knock of 74 turned out to be insufficient for his side as strong Western Australia (WA) XI sealed a comprehensive 36-run victory in the practice match on Thursday.

After a tight 13-run victory in the first practice game on Monday, the Indian batting lineup failed against a strong WA XI bowling attack and hence fell 36 runs short in response to the hosts’ 168/8.

India’s stand-in captain Rahul batted patiently while his side was losing wickets at an alarming rate and put on a remarkable fight with his gritty knock of 74. His 55-ball knock featured nine boundaries and two sixes.

Rahul’s retaliation, however, went in vain as no support from the rest of the batters saw India stuttering at 132/8 in their quota of 20 overs. Hardik Pandya (17) was the top scorer behind Rahul.

India’s regular captain Rohit Sharma and experienced batter Virat Kohli did not bat although fielded amid WA XI’s innings.

Hamish McKenzie, Lance Morris and Matthew Kelly bagged two wickets each, while Andrew Tye and Jason Behrendorff struck out a batter apiece.

Batting first, WA XI finished at a commendable 168/8 in their allotted 20 overs, thanks to the brilliant half-centuries from D’Arcy Short and Nick Hobson.

The pair put on a match-defining 110-run partnership for the second wicket and bolstered their side to a decent total.

Hobson top-scored for WA XI as he accumulated 64 off just 41, laced with five boundaries and four sixes. Short scored 52 off 38 balls with the help of four boundaries and two sixes.

Ravichandran Ashwin was the pick of the bowlers for India as he returned with 3/32, while Harshal Patel bagged two.

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