Shubman Gill Excluded from Second Unofficial Test Against England Lions
Shubman Gill's Absence in Upcoming Test
Shubman Gill, who has recently taken over as India's Test captain, will not participate in the second unofficial Test between India A and the England Lions, set to take place in Northampton starting June 6, as reported by a sports news outlet.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had previously announced a Test squad for the five crucial matches in England, commencing on June 20 at Headingley. Gill, who replaced Rohit Sharma as captain, along with Sai Sudharsan, was initially slated to join India A for this match.
However, it has been confirmed that both Gill and Sudharsan will instead travel with the main team, arriving in England on June 6. Meanwhile, experienced wicketkeeper KL Rahul is anticipated to play against the England Lions after joining the India A squad on Tuesday.
Akash Deep Ready for Selection
In addition to Rahul, Akash Deep is also available for selection. After suffering a back injury during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, he regained his fitness in April and played for the Lucknow Super Giants, taking three wickets in six matches.
Reports indicate that Akash was part of the India A squad during the first unofficial Test in Canterbury, where he bowled in short spells throughout the four-day match.
England Lions Strengthened by Chris Woakes
The England Lions, who fielded a relatively inexperienced team with only six Test caps in the first unofficial match, are expected to receive a significant boost with the inclusion of Chris Woakes for the upcoming game.
First Unofficial Test Ends in Draw
The initial unofficial Test between India A and the England Lions concluded in a draw on Monday. Notable performances in the second innings came from Yashasvi Jaiswal (64 runs off 60 balls), Abhimanyu Easwaran (68 runs off 87 balls), Dhruv Jurel (53 not out), and Nitish Kumar Reddy (52 not out off 47 balls).
Karun Nair's Impressive Performance
In a remarkable display, Karun Nair began his redemption arc in England with a stunning double century. On Day 2, under the bright sun in Canterbury, he stepped onto the pitch determined to maintain his successful form and challenge the England Lions for wickets.
The 32-year-old reached the coveted milestone in the final over of the 101st over when Eddie Jack lost his line and length, allowing Nair to find the gap.
He sent the ball racing to the boundary, achieving a remarkable double ton. Nair soaked in the applause from the crowd and kissed his helmet, savoring the moment. He concluded his innings with a score of 204 runs off 281 balls.