India A and England Lions Draw in Thrilling Unofficial Test Match
Match Overview
In Northampton, the second unofficial Test between India A and England Lions concluded in a draw on June 10. Tanush Kotian and Anshul Kamboj were the standout performers on the final day.
Facing a daunting target of 439 runs, England finished their second innings at 32-3, with Kamboj taking two wickets in a single over before the teams agreed to a draw. Tushar Deshpande also contributed by dismissing Tom Haines.
India A showcased their strength with a remarkable partnership of 149 runs between Kotian and Kamboj, leading them to a total of 417/7 before declaring their second innings at Tea on the fourth day.
Key Performances
With a lead of 438 runs, both Kotian and Kamboj scored fifties, leaving England unable to claim any wickets during the second session. Kotian remained unbeaten at 90 runs off 108 balls, while Kamboj scored 51 runs off 86 balls.
Kotian reached his fifty in the 78th over with a boundary off seamer Ben McKinney, and later, he and Kamboj celebrated a 100-run partnership for the eighth wicket.
Kamboj also achieved his fifty in the 91st over. At lunch, India A was positioned at 268/7, with Kotian still at the crease.
Match Progression
Starting the final day at 163/4, India A had a 184-run lead over the Lions, who had scored 327 in their first innings in response to India A's 348. Dhruv Jurel and Nitish Kumar Reddy contributed significantly, adding 46 runs together before Jurel was dismissed for 28.
India A then found themselves at 206/5. Shardul Thakur joined Reddy, and they propelled the score to 250 runs before both were dismissed by George Hill, leaving India at 268/7.
Reddy scored 42 runs off 78 balls, while Thakur added 34 runs off 47 balls. India A ended the first session with Kotian unbeaten on 7 runs.
Notable Contributions
On day three, India A had reached 163/4, with Abhimanyu Easwaran scoring 80 runs off 92 balls and KL Rahul contributing 51 runs off 64 balls.
Brief Scores: England Lions: 327 and 32/3 (Ben McKinney 16*, Tom Haines 7, Anshul Kamboj 2/6) | India A: 348 and 417-7d (Tanush Kotian 90*, Abhimanyu Easwaran 80, George Hill 3/64).