The two-day practice match between India A and England Lions ended in a draw as India A put on a daunting 462-8 in reply to the visitors’ first-innings score of 233 in Ahmedabad.

India A resumed their innings on day two on 123-1, with Rajat Patidar batting on an unbeaten 61 alongside his partner Pradosh Ranjan Paul, who was bowled immediately in the morning session by Brydon Carse for 21. Paul’s departure brought No.4 batter Sarfaraz Khan in the middle. During his stay at the crease, Sarfaraz smashed 11 fours and a maximum en route to 96 off just 110 deliveries. In the meantime, Patidar completed his century as well, racking up 111 runs from 141 balls, including 18 fours and a six.

Sarfaraz has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket in recent years. However, a call-up to India’s Test side has eluded him, with his exclusion in the 16-member squad for the first two games of the five-match Test series against England being his most recent omission.

KS Bharat too chipped in with an impressive 64 off 69 balls alongside Dhruv Jurel, who contributed with a blazing 50 off 38. Jurel was recently drafted into India’s squad for the England series.

The valiant batting effort was built on a strong bowling display on the first day as England Lions could only manage 233 runs in their first innings having elected to bat first. Ollie Robinson (45 off 52) and Dan Mousley (60 off 66) did the bulk of their scoring. Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar was the pick of the bowlers for the home side with figures of 3-45, helping to wrap up the England innings in 51.1 overs.

Following the conclusion of the two-day warm-up fixture, the two sides will reconvene again in three four-day matches between January 17 and February 4. Contrary to the practice match, the unofficial Tests will have first-class status.

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