India A vs England Lions highlights, 2nd Unofficial Test: KL Rahul found form and valuable match practice ahead of the five...
India A vs England Lions highlights, 2nd Unofficial Test: KL Rahul found form and valuable match practice ahead of the five-Test series against England, crafting a composed century for India A against a strong England Lions attack featuring seasoned pacer Chris Woakes.
Rahul’s fluent 116 off 168 balls — his 19th first-class hundred — was the highlight of a rain-interrupted opening day in Northampton, as India A reached 319 for 7 in 83 overs. He was well supported by Dhruv Jurel, who continued his impressive run with a well-made 52 off 87 balls — his third consecutive half-century.
At stumps, Tanush Kotian (5*) and Anshul Kamboj (1*) were unbeaten at the crease.
The England Lions attack, led by Woakes (3/50 in 17 overs), posed a stiff challenge in seam-friendly conditions early on. But Rahul weathered the storm with confidence, showcasing his class and composure against both movement and bounce.
Josh Tongue’s inswingers were handled with ease, while Rahul’s strokeplay was a mix of elegance and precision — striking 15 fours and a six, the latter coming off a clean strike down the ground against left-arm spinner Farhan Ahmed.
That Rahul opened the innings was a clear indication that he is in line to partner Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top when the first Test begins at Headingley on June 20.
The manner in which Rahul handled Woakes' early burst was textbook — playing late, under his eyes, and showing full control on square and cover drives. A kneeling cover drive stood out as a picture-perfect moment, and in the post-tea session, his fluent strokeplay resembled an extended net session.
Cloud cover in the morning helped Woakes make early inroads. He trapped Jaiswal lbw for 17 — a decision the left-hander wasn’t pleased with — and later got Abhimanyu Easwaran (11), who was dropped early but eventually fell to a delivery that straightened after pitching.
Easwaran, captaining India A once again, has struggled in first innings across India A’s tours of Australia and England. He failed to cross 20 in four innings Down Under, and once again looked short on answers against quality swing bowling in Canterbury and Northampton.
Karun Nair (40) looked assured after lunch under clearer skies, adding 86 runs for the third wicket with Rahul before falling to Woakes, who finished with three wickets in his comeback outing.
Jurel’s free-flowing batting continued to impress. Following up on scores of 94 and an unbeaten 53 in the first unofficial Test, he added 121 runs with Rahul for the fourth wicket. His 52-run knock included seven boundaries and further cemented his credentials not just as a wicketkeeper-batter, but also as a viable No. 6 option in the future.
George Hill (2/56 in 18 overs) then struck twice in quick succession — first bowling Jurel with one that came in with the angle, and then getting Rahul with a delivery that bounced and left him, inducing an edge to second slip.
Rahul’s fluent 116 off 168 balls — his 19th first-class hundred — was the highlight of a rain-interrupted opening day in Northampton, as India A reached 319 for 7 in 83 overs. He was well supported by Dhruv Jurel, who continued his impressive run with a well-made 52 off 87 balls — his third consecutive half-century.
At stumps, Tanush Kotian (5*) and Anshul Kamboj (1*) were unbeaten at the crease.
The England Lions attack, led by Woakes (3/50 in 17 overs), posed a stiff challenge in seam-friendly conditions early on. But Rahul weathered the storm with confidence, showcasing his class and composure against both movement and bounce.
Josh Tongue’s inswingers were handled with ease, while Rahul’s strokeplay was a mix of elegance and precision — striking 15 fours and a six, the latter coming off a clean strike down the ground against left-arm spinner Farhan Ahmed.
That Rahul opened the innings was a clear indication that he is in line to partner Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top when the first Test begins at Headingley on June 20.
The manner in which Rahul handled Woakes' early burst was textbook — playing late, under his eyes, and showing full control on square and cover drives. A kneeling cover drive stood out as a picture-perfect moment, and in the post-tea session, his fluent strokeplay resembled an extended net session.
Cloud cover in the morning helped Woakes make early inroads. He trapped Jaiswal lbw for 17 — a decision the left-hander wasn’t pleased with — and later got Abhimanyu Easwaran (11), who was dropped early but eventually fell to a delivery that straightened after pitching.
Easwaran, captaining India A once again, has struggled in first innings across India A’s tours of Australia and England. He failed to cross 20 in four innings Down Under, and once again looked short on answers against quality swing bowling in Canterbury and Northampton.
Karun Nair (40) looked assured after lunch under clearer skies, adding 86 runs for the third wicket with Rahul before falling to Woakes, who finished with three wickets in his comeback outing.
Jurel’s free-flowing batting continued to impress. Following up on scores of 94 and an unbeaten 53 in the first unofficial Test, he added 121 runs with Rahul for the fourth wicket. His 52-run knock included seven boundaries and further cemented his credentials not just as a wicketkeeper-batter, but also as a viable No. 6 option in the future.
George Hill (2/56 in 18 overs) then struck twice in quick succession — first bowling Jurel with one that came in with the angle, and then getting Rahul with a delivery that bounced and left him, inducing an edge to second slip.