In a riveting start to the second unofficial Test between India A and England Lions at Northampton, the spotlight fell on contrasting performances. While KL Rahul dazzled with a match-defining century, India A skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran found himself under intense scrutiny once again for a lackluster showing, raising serious questions about his readiness for the international stage.
Winning the toss, England Lions captain James Rew opted to field, a decision that paid dividends as seasoned seamer Chris Woakes struck early. The India A openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, adopted a cautious approach to counter the swinging conditions. Their grit resulted in a modest 28-run stand before Jaiswal fell lbw to Woakes for 17, leaving India A at a precarious 28/1.
With pressure mounting, all eyes turned to Easwaran at No. 3—a position that demands resilience in Test cricket. Unfortunately, the Bengal batter disappointed again, managing just 11 runs off 13 balls, including two fleeting boundaries, before Woakes dismissed him. This latest failure adds to a growing list of inconsistent performances in the red-ball format, intensifying the debate over his suitability for a Test debut. Social media erupted with fans and analysts questioning whether Easwaran, despite his domestic prowess, has the temperament to step up on the international stage.
However, the narrative wasn’t all gloom for India A. Fresh off a double-century in the previous match, Karun Nair partnered with Rahul to stabilize the innings. Their 35-run stand took India A to 75/2 at lunch, showing flickers of recovery. While Nair couldn’t convert his start, departing for a well-made 40, Rahul stood tall, crafting a brilliant 116 off 168 balls—an innings laced with 14 fours and a six. His performance was a timely reminder of his class and adaptability in challenging conditions. Youngster Dhruv Jurel also chipped in with a composed 52, helping India A reach a respectable 253/5 after 62 overs.
As the day unfolded, it was impossible to ignore the elephant in the room—Easwaran’s repeated failures at a pivotal position. With the national selectors closely monitoring performances in this series as a potential pathway to the senior team, this outing does little to strengthen his case. According to recent statistics from domestic cricket, Easwaran has scored over 6,000 runs in First-Class cricket at an average of 47.45, including 22 centuries, yet his inability to translate that form into consistent performances for India A remains a glaring concern.
In the broader context, KL Rahul’s century not only salvaged the day for India A but also reinforced his credentials as a dependable batter across formats. As the match progresses, the focus will likely remain dual—on Rahul’s leadership with the bat and whether Easwaran can stage a comeback in the second innings to silence his critics. For now, it’s clear that while one star rises, another struggles to find his footing on the road to Indian cricket’s hallowed Test arena.