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The County Ground in Northampton set the stage for a keenly anticipated clash as India A locked horns with the England Lions in the second unofficial Test, a crucial preparatory fixture ahead of India‘s main Test series in England. With the first match ending in a draw, both sides were eager to seize momentum. England Lions skipper James Rew won the toss and opted to bowl first, a decision that soon sparked drama and debate—none more so than during the controversial dismissal of Yashasvi Jaiswal, which became the talking point of the morning session.
Yashasvi Jaiswal stands in disbelief over umpire’s LBW decision
The incident unfolded in the seventh over of India A’s innings. Chris Woakes, brought on for another probing spell, delivered a ball from over the wicket that swung back sharply into Jaiswal. The young opener, looking to flick the delivery, was beaten by the late movement and struck flush on his front pad. Woakes and his teammates erupted in a confident appeal, and the umpire, without hesitation, raised his finger—Jaiswal was adjudged leg before wicket for 17 off 26 balls, leaving India A at 28/1.
What followed was a moment of high drama. Jaiswal stood his ground, visibly frustrated and in disbelief at the decision. He lingered at the crease, glancing back at the umpire, convinced the ball would have missed the leg stump. With his off and middle stumps visible at the point of impact, many observers felt that, had the Decision Review System (DRS) been available, the verdict might well have been overturned. Instead, Jaiswal was forced to make the slow, disappointed walk back to the pavilion, his body language capturing the sense of injustice that often accompanies marginal on-field calls in the absence of technology.
Here’s the video:
Jaiswal lbw 17 to Woakes … not sure he necessarily agreed with the decision pic.twitter.com/b3w7dHP5uA
— Ali Martin (@Cricket_Ali) June 6, 2025
Also WATCH: Rishabh Pant playfully recalls Rohit Sharma’s iconic dialogue in fan interaction before England tour
India A regroup against England Lions after an early jolt in 2nd Unofficial Test
Despite the early setback, India A managed to steady the ship before lunch. KL Rahul, returning to red-ball cricket to acclimatize ahead of the main Test series, anchored the innings with a composed knock alongside Karun Nair. By the lunch interval, India A had reached 75/2 after 21 overs, with Rahul unbeaten on 26 and Nair on 16. The only other wicket to fall was that of captain Abhimanyu Easwaran, also trapped LBW by Woakes for 11, leaving the experienced Woakes with impressive figures of 2 for 8 in 6 overs.
The session was not without interruptions, as rain and a wet outfield briefly halted play, but the Indian batters showed resolve against a disciplined England Lions attack. With a current run rate of 3.57 and plenty of batting to come, including the likes of Dhruv Jurel and Shardul Thakur, India A will look to build a substantial first-innings total and put the hosts under pressure as the match progresses.
