IND A vs ENG Lions: KL Rahul's century, Khaleel Ahmed's four-fer goes in vain as 2nd Unofficial Test ends in a draw
IND A vs ENG Lions: KL Rahul's century, Khaleel Ahmed's four-fer goes in vain as 2nd Unofficial Test ends in a draw
New Delhi: Chasing India A's target of 439 runs, England Lions scored 32 runs for three wickets in the second innings, after which the second unofficial Test ended in a dull draw on the fourth and final day. With this result, the two-match series also remained tied at 0-0. The first unofficial Test played in Canterbury was also a draw.
India A declared the second innings at 417 for seven with the help of brilliant half-centuries from Tanush Kotian (90 not out) and Anshul Kamboj (51 not out) and gave the host team a huge target of 439 runs. Kamboj then contributed with the ball as well and shook the top order of England Lions by dismissing Emilio Gay (05) and Jordan Cox (00).
Tushar Deshpande gave India the initial breakthrough
Tushar Deshpande (one wicket for 13 runs) got Tom Haynes (07) caught by Nitish Kumar Reddy to give India the first breakthrough. When the match was declared a draw, opener Ben McKinney was playing on 16 runs and captain James Rev was with him without opening the account.
Kotian and Kamboj shared a 149-run partnership
Kotian hit 10 fours in his innings of 108 balls and along with Kamboj shared an unbroken 149-run partnership for the eighth wicket. Both batsmen took full advantage of England's tired bowlers. Even the opposition had to try makeshift bowlers but did not get success.
Confidence was also seen in the way he completed his half-century
Kotian completed his 16th first-class half-century by playing Ben McKinney's ball towards third man for four runs in the 74th over. Kamboj completed his first half-century by taking three runs off Tom Haynes' ball in the 91st over. England Lions also took the new ball after the 80th over but they did not get any success.
Important wickets fell in the morning session
India scored at a rate of more than four and a half runs per over in the second innings. However, in the morning session, the team lost the wickets of Dhruv Jurel (28), Nitish Kumar Reddy (42) and Shardul Thakur (34). George Hill (three wickets for 39 runs) bowled Shardul on the last ball before lunch.
India got a slight lead in the first innings
India started the day at 163 runs for four wickets. Jurel hit two fours off Chris Woakes but could not play a long innings. He was caught by wicketkeeper Rev off Eddie Jack's ball. Reddy was in good rhythm but Hill bowled him out to give India the sixth blow. Shardul also played some attractive shots, but Hill sent him back to the pavilion before lunch. India A had scored 348 runs in the first innings and took a lead of 21 runs by bowling out England Lions for 327 runs.
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