After Temba Bavuma-led South Africa lifted the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) mace with a six-wicket win over Australia at Lord's, London, the focus shifts to the upcoming five-Test series between India and England. India are gearing up for the first Test at Headingley, Leeds with an intra-squad game in Beckenham. On Day 2, Sarfaraz Khan stole the show as he adopted the 'Bazball' approach and smashed 15 fours, two sixes in his 76-ball 101 before retiring out. But, India's pace-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah returned wicketless alongside left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh.
At the end of Day 2, India A were 299/6 from 51 overs in reply to India's 459. Ishan Kishan and Shardul Thakur were in the middle, attacking the old ball. Kishan returned not out for 45 off 55 balls. He hit seven fours. On the other end, Thakur hit four fours in his unbeaten 10-ball 19. On Day 1, Thakur was among wickets as well. He has made his case for the fast-bowling all-rounder spot.
Easwaran, Sudharsan stabilise after Gaikwad's early departure
Before Sarfaraz's carnage-filled knock, Ruturaj Gaikwad departed early in the innings. Gaikwad edged one to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant off Mohammed Siraj's bowling. He returned to the pavillion for a two-ball duck. Abhimanyu Easwaran and and Sai Sudharsan saw off the new bal. Both batters could not go on to get a big score. Easwaran scored 39 runs from 61 balls. He got out lbw to Nitish Kumar Reddy. Young Sudharsan edged one to Pant off Prasidh Krishna's bowling. The southpaw departed for a 60-ball 38.
Washington Sundar arrived at the crease and was dismissed for a golden duck by Krishna. Sundar got another chance to bat. He scored 35 runs from 49 balls. Siraj tok his wicket. Sundar hit three fours and as many sixes during his stay at the crease. Meanwhile, Sarfaraz wreaked havoc with his 76-ball 101. He hit 15 fours and two sixes before he was retired out.
Bumrah and Arshdeep wicketless, Siraj-Reddy expensive
While Siraj, Krishna got two wickets each, Bumrah and Arshdeep could not take a wicket. Bumrah bowled seven overs including two maidens and conceded 36 runs. Arshdeep bowled 12 overs including two maidens and conceded 52 runs. Siraj conceded most runs in the lineup. He got two wickets and bowled two maidens but conceded 86 runs from 12 overs. Reddy was expensive as well as he went for 68 runs in nine overs.
Ravindra Jadeja bowled just one over and conceded three runs. Ahead of Day 3 of the intra-squad game, India A are still trailing by 160 runs.