India A fought back on the second day of the ‘Test’ against Australia A in Lucknow. Abhimanyu Easwaran and Narayan Jagadeesan were the notable performers with the bat, keeping the home team in the match. In reply to 532/6 declared, India A were 116/1.
Easwaran was selected for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in England, but he did not get a single chance there. Jagadeesan joined the team when Rishabh Pant got injured in the fourth match. But he also warmed the bench.
Coming back to this match, Easwaran and Jagadeesan handled the Australian bowlers well. Australia A have Xavier Bartlett, who has played for the national team, and off-spinner Todd Murphy, who has the experience of playing in India in Test matches. The India A openers stitched together a partnership of 88 runs.
Easwaran did what he does best — sticking to the crease and punishing the loose deliveries. He absorbed the early pressure created by the Aussie bowlers. He was pacing his innings well until he was bowled by Liam Scott for 44.
For a player with strong domestic credentials, this innings from Jagadeesan will help him knock on the doors of the Indian team once again. He remained unbeaten after completing his fifty. Sai Sudharsan, who is seen as a future star in Indian cricket, is keeping him company with 20 not out.
Australia A put up a huge total of 532/6 and after Sam Konstas’ hundred on Day 1, Josh Philippe scored a brilliant ton on Day 2.
For the latest sports news follow- Revsportz