The first unofficial Test between England Lions and India A kicked off at the historic St. Lawrence Ground in Canterbury, marking the beginning of India’s tour of England. The visitors suffered an early setback as skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran was dismissed cheaply for just 8 runs off 17 deliveries by left-arm pacer Josh Hull. Easwaranβs early departure put India A under pressure early on after England Lions captain James Rew won the toss and decided to field first on a green-top wicket.
Jaiswal, Karun Nair Steady the Ship
Despite the early jolt, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal looked confident at the crease, continuing his aggressive stroke play. He was joined by experienced middle-order batter Karun Nair, who is making a return to the red-ball format with hopes of staking a claim for a senior team recall. The duo showed composure and intent to build a strong partnership and stabilize the innings.
The ongoing match is crucial not only for the India A squad but also for selectors keeping a close eye on performances for future Test selections. Several young talents are eager to impress in English conditions, especially with a high-profile five-match Test series between India and England starting June 20.
A member of the India A coaching staff noted,
“π»πππ ππππππ ππ πππ ππππ πππππ πππππππ. π°π’π π ππππππππ πππ πππππππ ππ ππ πππ ππ π¬ππππππ ππππ ππππππ πππ πππππ ππππππππππ.”
The unofficial series includes two four-day matches and an intra-squad game, offering valuable match time and exposure for both sides. The performances in these fixtures could influence squad decisions for the senior Test squad.
India A now hopes that Jaiswal and Nair can convert their promising start into a big partnership and lead a strong first-innings total.
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