KL Rahul is set to mark his return to red-ball cricket as he features in the second four-day match between India A and England Lions, scheduled to begin on June 6 in Northampton. Rahul, who missed out on crucial practice due to heavy monsoon rains in Bengaluru and Mumbai, reportedly made a special request to the BCCI to be included in the India A side for this match.
Joining Rahul in the squad is promising pacer Akash Deep, who will also take part in the Northampton encounter. Their inclusion is seen as part of the broader plan to fine-tune India’s bench strength ahead of a packed international calendar.
Gill and Sudharsan Join Main Squad; Will Miss Northampton Game
While KL Rahul and Akash Deep will be seen in action for India A, Shubman Gill and his IPL teammate Sai Sudharsan will not participate in the Northampton match. Both players are set to travel to England with the main Indian Test squad, which arrives on June 6.
Their absence from the India A lineup opens opportunities for other players to impress the selectors in English conditions.
Recap of the First Four-Day Match: Runs Galore on a Flat Deck
The first four-day match between India A and England Lions ended in a high-scoring draw, dominated by batters on both sides. India A posted 557 in their first innings, with Karun Nair shining with a brilliant double century. Middle-order batters Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel also impressed but fell agonizingly short of centuries, getting out in the 90s.
In response, England Lions piled up 587 runs, as Indian bowlers struggled on a slow, flat surface. Among the bowlers, Anshul Kamboj stood out with his sharp new-ball spells, offering a silver lining for India A’s coaching staff.
During the second innings, India A batted aggressively, reaching 241/2 in just 41 overs before the match was drawn. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Dhruv Jurel, and Nitish Kumar Reddy all scored half-centuries, getting valuable time in the middle under foreign conditions.
With the second game just around the corner, all eyes will be on KL Rahul’s performance as he looks to make a statement ahead of India’s key international assignments.
