Who made their presence count in the India A vs England Lions unofficial Tests ahead of five-match series?
Karun Nair (BCCI Photo)
NEW DELHI: AAnshul Kamboj starred on the final day with a maiden First-Class fifty and two wickets as India A's second unofficial Test against England Lions ended in a draw on Monday.
Chasing an improbable 439-run target in the final session of the four-day match, the Lions stumbled to 32 for 3 before both captains agreed to shake hands.
India A will now head to Beckenham to join the senior squad for a four-day intra-squad match scheduled from June 13-16 at the Kent County Cricket Ground.
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The first unofficial Test between the two sides in Canterbury had also ended in a draw.
Here's a look at the standout performers for India A across the two matches, ahead of the five-match Test series against England:
KL RAHUL
It was a productive return for Test opener KL Rahul.
After missing the first unofficial Test, he made an immediate impact in the second, scoring a composed 116 off 168 deliveries (15 fours, 1 six) in the first innings. He followed it up with a solid 51 in the second innings, taking his match tally to 167 runs at an average of 83.50 and a strike rate of 71.98. With his experience and form, Rahul is expected to strengthen India's top order in the opening Test at Leeds.
KARUN NAIR
Set to return to the Indian Test side after more than eight years, Karun Nair made the most of his opportunity.
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The middle-order batter, who became only the second Indian to score a triple century in Tests (after Virender Sehwag), last played in 2017. In his comeback series, Nair was impressive, notching up a double century in the first unofficial Test. He followed it with scores of 40 and 15 in the second game. On current form, Nair appears to be a strong contender for the playing XI in the Leeds Test.
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SARFARAZ KHAN
Despite being left out of the main Test squad for the England series, Sarfaraz Khan made a strong statement with the bat.
He struck a fluent 92 in the first innings of the opening unofficial Test, laced with 13 boundaries. The innings was a timely reminder of his quality, especially in testing English conditions, and sent a clear message to the selectors that he's ready if called upon.
ABHIMANYU EASWARAN
Captain Abhimanyu Easwaran had a mixed series. After a disappointing start with just 8 runs in the first innings of the opening game, he bounced back with a brisk 68 off 87 balls in the second innings. In the second unofficial Test, he was dismissed for 11 in the first innings but recovered with a gritty 80 in the second. Easwaran's overall effort keeps him firmly in the race for a top-order slot in India's Test XI at Leeds.
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