The intra-squad game between India and India A was played behind closed doors, without live streaming, and away from media presence. Here’s everything we know transpired at the Kent County Cricket Ground in Beckenham.
Ahead of the five-match Test series against England, beginning on June 20, India, led by Shubman Gill, faced India A, captained by Ruturaj Gaikwad. The India A squad, which had played two unofficial Tests against England Lions, were familiar with the conditions, while majority of the members of the senior team had just made their way into England for the series.
Day one
As per reports, the teams did not play a competitive practice match. Instead, the batters and bowlers were given situation-based challenges to achieve during the game, with India reportedly giving each bowler at least 15 overs per day.
The four-day game began with KL Rahul and Gill smashing fifties, while Shardul Thakur picked up four wickets. Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja and Yashasvi Jaiswal were some of the other batters who got a chance to bat on the first day of the game as well.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir had flown back ahead of the day’s play due to personal reasons, with assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate taking over the session in his absence. The support staff and the Indian players had also worn black armbands and observed a minute’s silence in remembrance of the victims of the horrific plane crash in Ahmedabad.
Day two
Sarfaraz Khan, not picked for the Test series, maintained his fine form in England with a scintillating century on the second day of the game.
The 27-year-old from Mumbai raced to a hundred off just 76 deliveries, dominating proceedings as the India A side responded to India's first-innings total of 459.
Jasprit Bumrah, leading the pace attack, bowled seven overs without success, conceding 36 runs in the process. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna were the only wicket-takers among the frontline seamers, picking up two wickets apiece, though Siraj proved costly, leaking 86 runs. Arshdeep Singh, making his first appearance in a Test squad, also went wicketless during his spell.
Sarfaraz, meanwhile, was the standout performer with the bat, smashing 15 boundaries and clearing the rope twice in an aggressive display before retiring out to allow others a chance at the crease. He had also scored 92 in the first unofficial Test against the Lions.
By stumps, India A had reached 299 for 6, with Ishan Kishan unbeaten on 45 and Shardul Thakur not out on 19.
Day three
All-rounder Shardul bolstered his chances of earning a place in India’s playing XI for the opening Test against England with a commanding unbeaten 122. Representing India A, Shardul reached the three-figure mark against a full-strength Indian attack featuring Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Arshdeep Singh.
He remained not out at stumps on Day 2 and brought up his century on the morning of Day 3. The match, initially scheduled to run until Monday, June 16, was called off midway through the third day by team management. A total of around eight sessions were completed before play was brought to an early end.
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