Fri. Jun 13th, 2025

India A Extend Lead to 184 After Action-Packed Day 3 vs England Lions

The third day of the second unofficial Test between India A and England Lions in Northampton had everything that truly makes cricket a thrilling sport-out of drama, momentum shifts, and individual brilliance. India A is now at an imposing lead of 184 runs with the score at 163/4 in the second innings at stumps.

What followed were some punishing spells of bowling, gritty half-centuries for the opponents, and, finally, scrappy defiance from the Lions’ lower-order. The day was full of quality action reinforcing India A‘s stance in this gripping contest. If Day 4 continues in the same vein, we’re in for some edge-of-the-seat cricket.

Khaleel Ahmed’s Lethal Spell Wrecks England Lions

The day began with the England Lions at 192/3 to resume their innings. But it would not be long before their innings tumbled, courtesy of an electrifying spell from Khaleel Ahmed, who registered a four-wicket haul (4/70). The left-arm pacer was in sublime rhythm from the onset, with Jordan Cox’s 45 coming to an end when Khaleel delivered a splendid delivery that was edged to the keeper behind.

What followed cannot be considered stoppage time for Khalil; he forked out James Rew and George Hill intermittently, the latter with a peach of a yorker that cartwheeled through the stumps. Chris Woakes, playing his first game of competitive red-ball cricket since his comeback, would fall a short while after Khaleel as England were walking on a path to being bowled out at 229/7.

The England Lions looked down and out, but a gritty stand between Josh Tongue (36*) and Farhan Ahmed (24) brought them back into the contest. Their lower-order resistance helped England Lions reach 327, closing the gap on India A’s first innings total of 348.

India A Openers Struggle Early, Rahul and Easwaran Stabilize

Chasing stability, India A arrived in the second innings with a lead by just 21. Early pressure caused Yashasvi Jaiswal to depart cheaply yet again when he was caught down the leg side off George Hill. At 7/1, India had to rely on experience to hold the innings together.

Enter KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran, who took charge of the situation and slowly but steadily rebuilt the innings. Rahul attacked Chris Woakes and Josh Tongue, stroking boundaries at his whims. Easwaran started a bit cautiously but then gained confidence and hit back-to-back boundaries off Tongue, essentially kickstarting his scoring.

The duo’s 88-run partnership laid the foundation for the innings. Rahul, having already scored a hundred in the first innings, followed it up with a mature 51 before falling victim to a badly-timed hook shot. Easwaran continued his good work to a well-deserved 50 and then went onward to 80.

Middle Order Stumble, But Lead Crosses 150

Karun Nair came in after the dismissal of Rahul and started fluently. He found the boundaries against Farhan and Jack but was soon cut short as Woakes caught him behind for 15.

Easwaran carried on all the while ensuring India A passed the 150-run lead mark. However, just as he was shaping for a century, he edged Woakes to first slip, bringing an end to a brilliant knock. The day soon followed, with India A leading by 184 and having the match under control.

Lions' Lower-Order Fightback

Earlier. The situation was desperate for the Lions from England; the innings was nearly over at 243/8. But some brave batting from Josh Tongue and Farhan Ahmed pushed the total beyond 300. Their partnership of 50 runs frustrated the Indian bowlers and stopped the Lions from drifting away from the contest.

Under the watchful eyes of Khaleel, Tushar Deshpande and Anshul Kamboj ensured that the stubborn resistance was broken right before Tea when Kamboj dismissed Edward Jack. The Lions finished at 327, just 21 runs behind.

Bowling Strategy and Conditions

India A produced incisive bowling throughout the day with aggression. Shardul Thakur remained unlucky despite bowling a tight line; Deshpande took a key wicket while Kamboj and Tanush Kotian kept things tight in their respective spells.

Seam movement was on offer for the bowlers with overcast conditions in Northampton. Light was an enemy, though, with interruptions keeping umpires on their toes. Nevertheless, it was often too good to be stopped.

India A’s Second Innings—Crucial Partnerships

Rahul and Easwaran defined the middle phase of India A’s second innings. Their approach oscillated between cautious and aggressive. Rahul played a confident knock, mostly dealing in boundaries, and showing why he still is among India’s best red-ball batsmen. And then, there was Easwaran-melding grit and technique in a perfect complement to Rahul.

This partnership set the stage for India A to build a big lead. Although both succumbed before stumps, their contribution may well prove decisive. As India A look to bat England Lions out of the game, the remaining batters will need to contribute and push the lead beyond 300 on Day 4.

Match Summary So Far

India A First Innings: 348
England Lions First Innings: 327
India A Second Innings: 163/4 (Easwaran 80, Rahul 51; Woakes 2-31)
India A lead by 184 runs

What Lies Ahead on Day 4?

Day 4 promises to be an exciting affair. India A has a good lead of 184 runs to play with and 6 wickets in hand and will aim to bat deep into the morning and set a target to test the resolve of England. With some help from the pitch and the overhead conditions, India’s bowlers Khaleel Ahmed, Tushar Deshpande and Shardul Thakur will fancy their chances in the final innings.

For the England Lions to chase a challenging Run Chase in the fourth innings, they will need the top order to have some substantial contributions. While their fight on Day 3 might have given them a small boost, aiming to chase anything over 300 on a tricky surface would seem daunting.

Conclusion

Day 3 of the unofficial Test between India A and England Lions had thrills and spills that any match or Test cricket spectator would crave. It was great cricket from both teams which meant great value for the viewers. Whether it be Khaleel Ahmed’s blistering spells, Rahul’s contribution at a front-foot, and Easwaran’s calmness, the match glistened with excitement. With the momentum slightly with India A, Day 4 will tell whether they can produce a famous overseas win.

Follow all live match updates, live score updates and expert analysis on LiveMatches.in. Day 4 is almost here, and all the aspects of Day 4 action and reporting of India A vs England Lions, and other CRICKET battles is fresh and up to date.