India A Stars Shine and Struggle in England Lions Series: A Closer Look at the Performances

The recently concluded unofficial Test series between India A and England Lions concluded without a victor but not without a lesson or two. With both the matches ending in draws there were still plenty of positives and negatives for Indian cricket enthusiasts and selectors alike. Some of the players utilized the time to expose their talent and others were unable to leave a mark. One thing is certain from the performances that the competition to take a spot in the senior national team is intensifying.

Karun Nair grabbed all the limelight with his brilliant performance and showed everyone what class he possesses. Back to India A setup he made a strong statement by scoring a double century in the first match. His series aggregate of 259 runs made him the top scorer from either team and his innings has certainly paved his way back into the senior Indian team. Having been out of the limelight for quite a while now this attempt has put him back into serious contention.

KL Rahul also justified his place once again. The seasoned batsman seemed to be in complete command in his two innings and registered a total of 167 runs. His serene and confident batting was a pure delight and he clearly indicated that he is geared up for the challenges ahead. Rahul is still one of the key players of India and his recent performance is a clear indication for the selectors.

Sarfaraz Khan also did well with his chance. Though he had just one opportunity to bat he used it judiciously with a good knock of 92 runs. Being consistent in the domestic arena Sarfaraz has been yearning for a major breakthrough in international cricket. His performance in this series proves that he is quite capable of performing under pressure at the international level.

Anshul Kamboj was a shining new face with a solid all-round effort. He shared the series' top wicket-taking figure along with five wickets and also had a decent economy rate of slightly more than three runs an over. He also contributed with the bat coming in with a useful half-century. His efforts have impressed all and he is a future hopeful kind of player.

Khaleel Ahmed also showed a good performance with just one game under his belt. The left-arm pacer took four wickets and caused the England Lions batsmen problems with swing and pace. Given India's hectic schedule in the future Khaleel might be a good bet for selection to the senior team particularly under conditions that favor fast bowlers.

Another of the quiet achievers among the players was Dhruv Jurel. As a wicketkeeper batsman he ended the series with three half-centuries and a tally of 227 runs. Despite Rishabh Pant being India's first-choice keeper, Jurel's consistent and effective batting performance will keep him in consideration for future opportunities.

On the other hand, there were some players who failed to meet the expectations. Shardul Thakur was disappointing with only two wickets in two games and 80 runs in three innings. A player who had a reputation of providing contribution with both bat and ball, Thakur found it hard to be effective. This series may lead the selectors to think twice about his position in the team in the future.

Yashasvi Jaiswal also had an under par performance. After a brilliant IPL season people were hoping that he would ruin red ball cricket too. But in this series he scored just 110 runs with a solitary fifty. He looked out of touch and will now have to make a comeback stronger in the senior side.".

Another one whose name did not sparkle was Abhimanyu Easwaran. The captain of the India A team scored only 167 runs in four matches. Though he scored two half-centuries the wickets were friendly and he was under pressure to score more. His leadership remained consistent but with such stiff competition looming around him he would have to score more consistently if he has to remain in contention.

Nitish Reddy was another player who underperformed. After doing well on the Australia tour expectations were high from him. However he only scored 135 runs in four innings and took just two wickets. This dip in form could hurt his chances in the short term though he still remains a talent worth backing for the future.

This series was more than just two drawn matches. It was a stage for cricketers to make their mark and lay claim to greater glory. Some took this opportunity with open arms and others will look back and think about what might have been. The show put up by Karun Nair KL Rahul Sarfaraz Khan and Anshul Kamboj saw Indian cricket fans smile. On the other hand players like Shardul Thakur Yashasvi Jaiswal and Nitish Reddy will need to work harder to bounce back.

The England Lions were a great opposition and assisted in exposing India A players to varied conditions. The matches also assisted selectors in evaluating bench strength and determining who is good enough to move to international cricket. With a lot of international series on the horizon and injuries being an ever-present concern India requires a solid and dependable bench. Performances in such series contribute heavily towards making the future of Indian cricket.

In short though the series concluded without a winner it did its job well. It provided an opportunity to young and veteran players to prove themselves and provided fans with a peek at future heroes. Players like Karun Nair and Anshul Kamboj put in some solid performances and have entered their names into the selection frame. For those who have not done well the message is simple there are no promises in cricket and each game is a new chance to show your mettle.