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.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Khaleel 4 wickets, Kamboj 1 wicket, Tushar 2 wickets vs England Lions. These CSK bloods never fail to perform 💛
— Div🦁 (@div_yumm) June 8, 2025
Khaleel Ahmed has been phenomenal today. Just 40 minutes since the day 3 has started and he has already taken 3 wickets. New batter coming in and he bowled a deadly yorker to dismiss Hill. Height has given him an extra advantage pic.twitter.com/Sb7VzGwVhc
— Sports syncs (@moiz_sports) June 8, 2025
Khaleel Ahmed looks phenomenal this session for India A against England lions already took 4 wickets. He could have been great addition in the Indian test squad against England series. #IndAvEngLions pic.twitter.com/iVnn4xYmFT
— Saki (@mrSakii18) June 8, 2025
KHALEEL AHMED HAS TAKEN 4 WICKETS IN 4 OVERS 🤯
10-1-39-0 to 14-1-51-4 vs England Lions. pic.twitter.com/1KCl4cvxOO
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 8, 2025
Statistically, 2 half centuries for Abhimanyu Easwaran as well. Both in the second innings.
— Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan) June 8, 2025
Well done Easwaran! Was under a fair bit of pressure going into this innings, and barring the first 10-15 balls, he’s looked good.
— Shaan Waseem (@shaanwaseem2) June 8, 2025
Abhimanyu Easwaran concludes the England Lions series with a couple of half-centuries in four innings.
Talk would’ve intensified if he did better in the first innings but low scores have shattered it.
Nevertheless, his second innings fifties are at good strike rates.#ENGvsIND
— Saptak Sanyal (@SanyalwithStats) June 8, 2025
Abhimanyu Easwaran is the finest test batter in the country at this moment. A truly gifted player !! #Easwaran #IndAvEngLions #INDvsENG #TestCricket #EnglandTour
— Sourav Banerjee (@srb_quiz) June 8, 2025
KL Rahul asked the board to play in the 2nd Warm-up match for preparation for Tests and he has delivered with the bat, Hundred followed by fifty today. 👏
India needs a big series from KL this cricket summer.
— Bhawana (@cricbhawana) June 8, 2025
KL Rahul will score 600+ runs in Eng Test series
— JSK (@imjsk27) June 8, 2025
KL Rahul is fully prepared for England Test series, he scored 1 Hundred & 1 fifty against England Lions 👑 in the 2nd warm up Match. pic.twitter.com/CkoNO8lMyx
— CricVipez (@CricVipezAP) June 9, 2025
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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