The two-match unofficial Test series between India A and England Lions may have ended in draws, but it offered valuable insights into the form and future prospects of several Indian cricketers. KL Rahul emerged as one of the biggest positives, scoring 167 runs in just two innings, reaffirming his importance ahead of India’s senior team engagements. Karun Nair made a strong case for a national comeback with a superb double century, finishing as the top scorer in the series with 259 runs. Another notable performer was Sarfaraz Khan, who made the most of his lone outing with an impressive 92-run knock, reminding selectors of his consistent domestic performances. Among bowlers, Anshul Kamboj stood out as a promising find—he was the most disciplined bowler, conceding runs at just over 3 per over, and also contributed with a half-century and five wickets, emerging as a key all-rounder. Khaleel Ahmed, despite playing only one match, made a mark by picking up four wickets and troubling English batters with his left-arm pace. Dhruv Jurel too impressed with the bat, scoring three fifties and a total of 227 runs, solidifying his place as a strong backup wicketkeeper behind Rishabh Pant.
On the flip side, some players failed to meet expectations. Shardul Thakur had a forgettable series, picking just two wickets across two matches and contributing only 80 runs with the bat. Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had a strong IPL season, managed only 110 runs and a solitary half-century in the series, falling short of expectations. Among those who showed glimpses of potential but didn’t quite deliver was Abhimanyu Easwaran. The India A captain scored 167 runs in four innings, including two fifties, but couldn’t convert them into big scores on batting-friendly tracks. Nitish Kumar Reddy, after a promising Australia tour, also had a subdued series, scoring just 135 runs and picking only two wickets. Overall, the series served as a testing ground—rewarding form, exposing weaknesses, and offering a clearer picture ahead of Team India’s packed international season.
