India A vs England Lions: Day 2 Highlights and Key Performances

India A's First Innings Concludes

On Day 2, India A wrapped up their first innings at 348 runs, having resumed from a score of 319/7. Tanush Kotian and Anshul Kamboj were at the crease, but England Lions bowler Josh Tongue quickly finished the innings.

Kotian started aggressively, hitting consecutive boundaries off Tongue. However, Tongue claimed the wicket of Kotian with a well-angled delivery that knocked over the stumps, leaving Kotian out for 15 runs. Kamboj was dismissed leg before wicket on the fourth ball of Tongue's next over. Despite brief resistance from Tushar Deshpande and Khaleel Ahmed, a direct hit from Tongue concluded the innings at 348.

England Lions' Response

In reply, England Lions' openers Ben McKinney and Tom Haines provided a solid foundation. Indian pacers Kamboj and Khaleel managed to generate some swing, but their accuracy was lacking. McKinney capitalized on this, scoring back-to-back boundaries off Khaleel.

Kamboj had a chance to dismiss McKinney early, but a straightforward catch was dropped at backward point. Redemption came just two balls later when Kamboj had McKinney edging to Dhruv Jurel, who took a low catch. At Lunch, England Lions were at 58/1, trailing by 290 runs.

Partnerships and Key Wickets

After the tea break, Haines and Emilio Gay built a solid partnership. Shardul Thakur struggled with control, delivering four no-balls in his five-over spell. Haines, who had scored a century in the previous unofficial Test, continued his form with a fifty. The Lions added 65 runs in 11 overs after Lunch without losing a wicket.

Deshpande eventually broke the partnership, getting Haines to edge a fuller delivery outside off, which was caught cleanly by Jurel. Haines departed after a well-made 54. A light drizzle interrupted play, but before the break, England Lions reached Tea at 146/2, still 202 runs behind.

Day 2 Comes to a Close

After Tea, Emilio Gay reached his half-century, and along with Jordan Cox, they formed a solid 69-run partnership. However, Kotian returned to dismiss Gay leg-before with a flatter delivery, ending his innings at 71.

Captain James Rew joined Cox, but poor light forced the players to leave the field shortly after. At Stumps on Day 2, England Lions were at 192/3, trailing by 156 runs, with Cox not out on 31 and Rew yet to score. Kotian was the standout bowler for India, finishing the day with figures of 7-0-21-1.