Sarfaraz Khan hits 76-ball hundred, Bumrah goes wicketless in intra-squad match

India Today

10 hours ago

Team India's preparations for the upcoming Test series against England continued on Saturday with Day 2 of their intra-squad match at the Kent County Ground in Beckenham offering both promise and concern. While Sarfaraz Khan delivered a blistering century, senior pacer Jasprit Bumrah went wicketless.After Shubman Gill and KL Rahul had impressed with half-centuries on Day 1, it was Sarfaraz - playing for India A - who stole the limelight on the second day. Despite not being named in India's official squad for the five-match series, the 27-year-old right-hander hammered 101 runs off just 76 balls, laced with 15 fours and two sixes.advertisementSarfaraz's omission from the main squad raised eyebrows among fans and experts alike. Nevertheless, the Mumbai batter has continued to press his case through sheer performance. He also scored 92 in the first unofficial Test between India A and the England Lions in Canterbury. In six Test appearances for India so far, Sarfaraz has amassed 371 runs at an average of 37.10, including a memorable 150 in the second innings of the Bengaluru Test against New Zealand last year.
While India A's batters impressed, India's first-choice bowling attack had a mixed day. Jasprit Bumrah went wicketless and conceded runs at five per over, raising concerns about rhythm and readiness. Mohammed Siraj, though claiming two wickets, was expensive as well, leaking runs at over seven per over. Prasidh Krishna also picked up two wickets, while Nitish Kumar Reddy removed Abhimanyu Easwaran for 39.advertisementIndia A ended Day 2 on 299 for 6, trailing the main India side by 160 runs. Sai Sudharsan contributed 38 off 60 balls, while Ishan Kishan added a brisk 45 from 55. Washington Sundar, who had fallen for a duck in the first innings, redeemed himself with a steady 35. India A skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, however, was dismissed for a duck.The match, held behind closed doors, is India's final warm-up ahead of the England series. The intra-squad game follows two unofficial Tests against the England Lions - both ending in draws - and has featured several fringe and first-team players including Karun Nair, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and Shardul Thakur.The upcoming series against England will mark the beginning of a new era for Indian Test cricket, with Shubman Gill leading the side following the retirements of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the longest format, and Ravichandran Ashwin from international cricket altogether. You May Also Like