India A Batters Shine, But Bowlers Struggle in Draw Against Lions
India A Batters Shine, But Bowlers Struggle in Draw Against Lions
India-A batters shine as the first unofficial Test against England Lions ended in a draw. In the second innings, all the top four players scored half-centuries before the declaration of a draw.
India A and England Lions played out a drawn match in Canterbury, where batting dominated while bowlers struggled on a flat pitch that offered little assistance. The first unofficial Test turned into an extended batting session, with both teams making the most of the conditions.
England Lions Take the Lead
England Lions were bowled out just before lunch on Monday, finishing their first innings at 587 runs, taking a 30-run lead over India A’s first-innings total of 557. Their batting lineup was led by Tom Haines (171), Max Holden (101), and Dan Mousley (113), who ensured their team had a solid advantage. India A’s bowlers, including Mukesh Kumar (3/92), struggled to make breakthroughs on the batting-friendly surface.
India A’s Batters Shine
In response, four India A batters Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Dhruv Jurel, and Nitish Kumar Reddy scored quick half-centuries, helping their team reach 241 for 2 in 41 overs before both teams agreed to end the game an hour after tea.
Jaiswal & Easwaran’s Aggressive Start
Jaiswal and Easwaran started aggressively, reaching 50 runs with ease. Jaiswal, known for his attacking perfectly, scored 64 off 60 balls, while Easwaran made 68 off 87 deliveries. Both batters hit eight boundaries each, making the most of the flat pitch. Jaiswal, however, got out playing a loose shot for the second time in the match, something he would be slightly disappointed about.
For Easwaran, this match was another litmus test in his long journey toward a Test debut. Despite playing for India A for several years and having over 100 first-class matches under his belt, he is still waiting for his chance in the senior team. On the first day, he had a disappointing start, getting out for just 8 runs. However, on Monday, he looked determined to score quickly and big, hitting successive fours through covers against Lions' seamer Zaman Akhter before reaching his half-century. Unfortunately, his innings ended at 68 runs when he misjudged a delivery from Rehan Ahmed, leading to his leg stump being uprooted.
Jurel & Reddy’s Confident Finish
After Easwaran’s dismissal, Jurel and Reddy took charge, ensuring India A finished strongly. Jurel, who had missed a century by just six runs in the first innings, once again showed his best spirit to play, scoring 53 not out. He is likely competing against Karun Nair for a middle-order spot in the upcoming Test match in Leeds on June 20.
Meanwhile, Reddy, who recently recovered from a side strain, is focusing on his bowling ahead of the second match against the Lions in Northampton on June 6. Though cleared in March by BCCI medical staff, he only started bowling in the past few weeks and has been gradually building his workload. He bowled 14.5 overs in Canterbury and took one wicket, dismissing tailender Eddie Jack.
Looking Ahead
While the match ended in a draw, it provided valuable batting practice for India A’s players ahead of their upcoming matches. The flat pitch made it difficult for bowlers to make an impact, but the batters took full advantage of the conditions. With the second unofficial Test starting on June 6 in Northampton, India A will be looking to fine-tune their performances, especially in the bowling department.