After winning the one-day tri-series and the four-day series against West Indies A, India A suffered a defeat in their final game of the England Tour. Facing hosts England Lions, India A lost the unofficial Test by 253 runs.
While nothing went right on the final day with India A resuming on a precarious 11/3 before being wrapped up for 167, performances of vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane and young wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant were major gains. Having received his maiden Test call-up for the upcoming five-match series against England, Pant top scored for the visitors with knocks of 58 and 61.
Rahane and Pant, batting at six and seven respectively put on a fight. The two got going and put on a 54-run stand. In his knock of 48 off 70 balls, Rahane hit eight fours before getting out. During his 87-minute stay at the wicket, Pant hit seven boundaries and two sixes. Both Rahane and Pant were dismissed by off spinner Dom Bess.
Earlier, Alastair Cook put England Lions in a strong position with his innings of 180 off 268 balls. He batted for 408 minutes in the first innings that allowed the hosts to put on an imposing total of 423 runs. Looking to get the feel of English conditions early, M Vijay took part in the game but was out for eight in the first innings and could not open his account in his second outing.
Young Prithvi Shaw made an entertaining half-century (62 off 82) but like Vijay, was out without opening his account in the second innings. India A captain Karun Nair who is also in the Test squad made four and 13.
Among the bowlers, Mohammed Siraj picked 4/79 and 3/55. Shahbaz Nadeem had picked up three wickets in the first innings and took one in the second.
Brief scores: England Lions 423 and 194 for 5 (Malan 56, Pope 50*) beat India A 197 (Shaw 62, Pant 58, Curran 5-43) and 167 (Pant 61, Rahane 48) by 253 runs.
