India A held on to a memorable draw against England Lions after an unbeaten 116 from KS Bharat took them to safety in the first Test in Ahmedabad.
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India A v England Lions scorecard
After the end of the third day, the writing seemed clear on the wall: England needed only six more wickets while India A needed another 331 runs to avoid a defeat. What transpired today (January 20), however, was unexpected, with India A losing only one wicket on Saturday to hang onto a draw.
Starting the day at 159-4, opener Sai Sudharsan along with Manav Suthar frustrated the bowlers, batting together for nearly 28 overs before the former departed three runs short of his third first-class hundred. He was lbw to Callum Parkinson, who had already picked up two wickets in the innings.
That was the only joy that England had in the day. Once Bharat combined with Suthar, there were hardly any chances offered to the visitors, who toiled for the next 54.5 overs without any other success. While Suthar played patiently, Bharat was the more aggressive batter, taking on the bowlers and reaching his first first-class ton since December 2019.
Bharat, who made his Test debut last year and played five games, reached his hundred off 138 balls and then accelerated to maintain a strike rate of 100. He was unbeaten on 116 off 165 deliveries in the end, hitting 15 fours at a strike rate of 70.30. He has been picked for the home series against England.
Suthar, at the other end, gave him good company and was not out on 89 off 254 balls, taking India A to what had once seemed an improbable draw.
Brief scores:
England Lions – 553-8d (Keaton Jennings, 154; Matthew Potts, 4-30) & 163-6d (Keaton Jennings, 64; Callum Parkinson, 3-182)
India A – 227-10 (Rajat Patidar, 151; Manav Suthar, 4-137) & 426-5 (KS Bharat, 116*; Pradosh Paul, 2-23)
Match drawn
