Jaiswal Fails, KL Rahul Thrives: Major Talking Points From IND-A Vs Lions 2nd Unofficial Test

KL Rahul with Yashasvi Jaiswal [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X]

The Indian A side is currently participating in the second unofficial Test of the ongoing three-match series at the Northampton County Ground. After a drawn affair in the inaugural game at St Lawrence Cricket Ground in Kent, both sides put up a much more competitive show, aiming for supremacy in the penultimate encounter. 

The unofficial Tests were arranged to help players from both sides prepare for the upcoming five-match series between India and England. As the second game races towards a close finish, here are the major takeaways from this match. 

Contrasting Performances Of Jaiswal, Rahul And Easwaran

(Stats of Indian top order candidates in 2nd unofficial Test)

• As evidenced by the above stats, Yashasvi Jaiswal was the least impressive among India's top-order batters in the second unofficial Test against the England Lions. While the experienced KL Rahul followed up a sensational ton with a half-century, Abhimanyu Easwaran struck an imposing 92-ball 80 in the second innings. 
• In fact, Easwaran has outperformed Jaiswal across two Tests, scoring 57 runs more than the latter at a superior average. Thus, Jaiswal's failure against the odds has raised serious concerns in the Indian camp, with the team aiming to form a robust top order for the England Tests after Rohit Sharma's retirement. 
• Although, India will still persist with Jaiswal for the first Test or rather we say the initial few matches, the team management might not cut him some slack if he sustains his lean run, considering how Easwaran has performed so far on English soil. 

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Chris Woakes To Trouble India At Headingley?

(Chris Woakes' impressive numbers vs India-A)

• Veteran English seamer Chris Woakes looked sublime in the second unofficial Test against India-A, testing the visiting batters with his accuracy and movement. 
• The experienced speedster got rid of Jaiswal (1st innings), Karun Nair (both innings) and Easwaran (both innings). All these players are a part of India's squad that will take on England in the five-Test series. 
• The ability of Woakes to generate prodigious swing with the new ball and surprise the batters with his three-quarter delivery around the channel of uncertainty paid him rich dividends in the high-octane clash. 
• Thus, given how the Indian batters failed to read him, Woakes could be England's go-to man with the Dukes in the coming matches. 

Dhruv Jurel's Consistency With The Bat

(Dhruv Jurel's Stats in Unofficial Tests vs Lions)

• Stylish Indian batter Dhruv Jurel has been exceptional in the unofficial Test series against the England Lions. Batting in the middle order, Jurel has exhibited remarkable consistency, amassing 227 runs across four innings at a magnificent average of 75.67. 
• He converted three of his starts into half-centuries, posing a strong case for his inclusion in India's playing XI for the Headingley Test. However, with the team considering playing seam-bowling all-rounders Shardul Thakur and Nitish Reddy, it remains to be seen if Jurel manages to find a place in the star-studded side.  

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