KL Rahul Glows with Century for India A Before England Tests soe

KL Rahul is working hard to prepare for the coming England Test series by taking part in an unofficial Test game for India A against the England Lions. He had not been considered for the team but became available after the end of his IPL season. His choice proved to be a judicious one as he played a brilliant century on the very first day. This display proved that he is in fantastic red ball condition and raring to go in the challenge of playing Test cricket in English conditions. He appeared well-confident at the crease and easily transitioned from the T20 mode to the longer version of the game. His knock was classy and timed to perfection and it placed India A in a commanding position in the game.

India A were tested in the early stages by Chris Woakes who bowled well for the England Lions. Woakes was included in the game to gain some match practice before the Test series and he did not let down. He sent Yashasvi Jaiswal packing for 17 and then clean bowled Abhimanyu Easwaran. These two early wickets established some early control for the Lions but the game changed once KL Rahul and Karun Nair joined hands. Nair had recently scored a double century in the last game and he followed it up with a good 40 by continuing his form. The duo contributed 86 runs between them and rescued India A from the initial carnage.

Karun Nair was unable to score another huge one but he batted well while he was at the crease. He is obviously throwing his hat in the ring for the Indian middle order spot and with these kinds of performances he is staying in the running for the first Test in Headingley. After Nair got out Dhruv Jurel walked in and stitched together another crucial partnership with Rahul. The two played patiently and handled the task skillfully and added a century stand. Jurel too has been in top form and after scoring 94 and an unscored 53 in the last game he contributed another fifty to this match. His form is gaining attention and he is making a very good case for himself.

KL Rahul, on the other hand, scored his hundred with immense control and finesse. He was extremely at ease on the crease and never let the bowlers settle. The pitch favored the bowlers a little and the weather kept disrupting the match but Rahul remained concentrated. His innings of 116 arrived at a critical juncture and proved the reason why he is still a vital component of the Indian Test squad. Rahul and Jurel were both set to bat long but were both sent back by George Hill in succession. Hill dismissed both the batters in nine balls and the Lions were back into the game overnight.

Following those two wickets Nitish Reddy and Shardul Thakur did spend some precious time in the middle. They attempted to settle the issue once more for India A but they were not able to remain unbeaten at the end of the day. Still India A reached 319 for 7 at stumps which is a solid total more so considering the base set by Rahul and Jurel. The day was interrupted by rain and there were a number of stoppages but India A managed the stop-start game quite well.

KL Rahul's century is not any other ton. It has come at a time when the Indian team is seeking experience and solidity at the top. Rahul's fitness and form had been under the scanner following his injuries, and there was no surety of his place in the team. But with this century he has made a lot of noise. He has proved that he is geared up to deliver under pressure and that he can be trusted in the longer version. The selectors and team management will be happy to witness him back among the runs in red ball cricket.

Chris Woakes was the most impressive England Lions bowler and ended on 3 for 50. His spells were spirited and precise and he was able to take important wickets. George Hill also contributed with opportune breakthroughs and provided the Lions with some hope after Rahul and Jurel had walked all over them. But the day belonged decidedly to KL Rahul who stabilized the innings admirably and displayed his class.

The game is a part of India A's buildup for the Test series in England and players are employing these matches to make themselves available for selection for the national team. Efforts like those of Rahul Jurel and Nair will definitely be taken notice of by the selectors. The weather in England is not always conducive and it does take time to adjust to the red ball version of the game from the IPL. That is all the more impressive considering Rahul was not in the team for the first game and yet made the most impact on day one.

India A will expect to extend their score and provide a good platform for their bowlers to launch an attack as the game goes on. The England Lions will be looking to come back with early wickets on the second day. The weather may still have a say but at the moment India A are in the lead due to KL Rahul's phenomenal century and gritty backup from Jurel and Nair. Rahul hasn't just got his groove going back but also provided Indian cricket fans with hope that he will play as well as ever in the coming Test series. His performance has again shown that class is permanent and that he is prepared to deliver when it is most needed.