India A’s first unofficial Test against the England Lions ended in a high-scoring draw at Canterbury, as both sides posted mammoth totals on a flat batting surface that offered little for the bowlers throughout the five days. The match showcased the depth of batting talent in both camps, but it was the Indian batters who stood out with their resilience and flair in both innings.
The pitch at the Spitfire Ground in Canterbury turned out to be a batting paradise, and both teams capitalized on the conditions. England Lions batted first and put on an imposing 587 in their first innings, fueled by centuries from their top and middle-order batters. India A’s bowlers toiled hard, with limited assistance from the surface, and despite some disciplined spells, they struggled to make regular breakthroughs.
In response, India A showed excellent character and composure. The top order stood firm against the England Lions’ attack, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Abhimanyu Easwaran laying the platform. Both openers scored fifties and spent significant time at the crease, blunting the new ball and frustrating the bowlers. Their partnership was followed by equally impressive performances from Dhruv Jurel and Nitish Kumar Reddy, who ensured that India A matched the Lions’ total.
Jurel, in particular, impressed with his aggressive intent and clean striking. His half-century came at a crucial time and shifted the momentum in India A’s favor during their first innings. Nitish Kumar Reddy complemented him well, playing a composed innings that added to India A’s dominance with the bat.
India A eventually posted 557 in their first innings, falling just 30 runs short of the England Lions’ total. The lack of penetration in both bowling line-ups made a result increasingly unlikely as the match progressed. On the final day, India A batted again and ended at 241 for 2 in their second innings before the teams shook hands to settle for a draw.
Yashasvi Jaiswal once again impressed at the top, while Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sarfaraz Khan also got starts. The batting form of the India A team throughout the game highlighted the strength of India’s bench and the readiness of several young players to take the next step in international cricket.
Although the bowlers from both teams had a tough time in unhelpful conditions, the game provided valuable match time for players looking to break into their respective national teams. For India A, it was also a key opportunity to assess players like Rajat Patidar, Mukesh Kumar, and Arzan Nagwaswalla in the longer format setup.
Despite the lack of a result, the match was rich in individual performances and served as an ideal preparation platform for the upcoming fixtures. With more unofficial Tests to come, both teams will be hoping for more sporting surfaces that allow for a better contest between bat and ball.
As the series continues, India A will take plenty of positives from the match—especially the grit and application shown by their batting lineup across both innings.