• India A tightened their grip on England Lions by the end of Day 3 of 2nd unofficial Test.

  • KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran once again impressed with the bat as India A ended the day at 163/4,

Fans react as KL Rahul, Khaleel Ahmed and Abhimanyu Easwaran help India A take firm control on Day 3 vs England Lions
India A (Image Source: X)

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India A tightened their grip on the match by stumps on Day 3 of the 2nd unofficial Test, building a strong second-innings lead after bowling out England Lions for 327. KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran once again impressed with the bat as India A ended the day at 163/4, holding a 184-run lead going into the final day. Despite some resistance from the England lower order, the Indian bowlers ensured a crucial first-innings advantage before their top-order laid a solid second-innings foundation.

Abhimanyu Easwaran, KL Rahul push India A to strong lead

India A’s second innings began with a minor hiccup as Yashasvi Jaiswal fell early to George Hill, caught behind for 5. However, Rahul carried his excellent form into the second innings, partnering with Easwaran to construct a brisk and authoritative 88-run stand. Rahul stroked nine boundaries in his 64-ball 51 before falling to Eddie Jack, while Easwaran maintained fluency at the crease. The India A captain looked compact and aggressive, scoring 80 off 92 balls with ten boundaries. Though both Rahul and Easwaran were eventually dismissed in quick succession, Rahul caught at mid-off and Easwaran edging Chris Woakes to slip, the visitors kept the scoreboard moving. Karun Nair chipped in with a quick 15 before falling to Woakes, but India A still walked off in control, reaching 163/4 in just 33 overs at a healthy run rate of 4.93.

Also READ: KL Rahul’s coach lauds his mental toughness and composure after century in India A vs England Lions 2nd unofficial Test

Khaleel Ahmed, Anshul Kamboj lead with ball as England Lions fold for 327

Earlier in the day, the England resumed their innings at 192/3 but quickly lost momentum as India A’s bowlers struck regularly. Khaleel Ahmed produced a fine spell of seam bowling to finish with 4 wickets, including key scalps like Jordan Cox and Woakes. Anshul Kamboj chipped in with two important wickets while Tushar Deshpande also took a couple. Farhan Ahmed and Josh Tongue added some resistance down the order, scoring 24 and 36 respectively, but the Lions eventually folded for 327, giving India A a slender 21-run lead. Nitish Kumar Reddy picked up a crucial wicket with his part-time pace, helping wrap up the innings just before the new ball took full effect. The disciplined bowling ensured that England couldn’t capitalize on the early platform laid by their top three, setting the stage for India A’s assertive second innings.

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Also READ: BCCI breaks silence on retiring Virat Kohli’s No. 18 jersey amid Mukesh Kumar’s India A appearance in same number

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