Cricket News

'Isko bhi le aao Test team mein' - Fans react as Rajat Patidar scores century against England Lions in first unofficial Test

The hosts dealt with heavy blows upfront as they were restricted to 50/6. Then it was the Royal Challengers Bangalore star batter, Rajat Patidar who came to India A rescue.

author-image
Mathew K
New Update
awf

Rajat Patidar (Source: Twitter)

The England Lions team are currently on a tour of India, where they are facing India A for a tour of three unofficial Test matches. After the 2-day practice match was drawn in between both teams, the visitors made a resounding comeback in the first unofficial Test. On the back of some brilliant batting display, the England Lions were successful in posting a gigantic first innings total of 553/8 in 118 overs.

In reply, to this massive total, the hosts were dealt with heavy blows upfront as they were restricted to 50/6. Then it was the Royal Challengers Bangalore star batter, Rajat Patidar who came to India A rescue. The prolific batter came to the crease at the fall of Sai Sudharsan’s wicket in the second over of the innings. Despite seeing wickets tumbling from one end, Patidar held onto one end and played a blinder of an innings.

The impact of his knock was gauged by the fact that the top six batters apart from him failed to even score in double digits. The talismanic batter scored a century in just 94 balls and built a brilliant partnership with Pulkit Narang (18) and Tushar Deshpande (23). He made sure that India survived the day's end getting closer to the England Lions’ score. He remained remained unbeaten at 140 runs in just 132 runs with 18 boundaries and five sixes to his game.

Let us look at how Twitter has reacted to this brilliant century from Patidar;

 

 

 

 

England Lions score 553 runs in the first innings

On the opening day of the four-day 'unofficial Test', India A bowlers experienced the 'Bazball' approach as England Lions, led by opener Keaton Jennings, dominated with a score of 553 runs in 118 overs. Jennings showed an aggressive display, smashing 154 runs off 188 deliveries, including 20 boundaries and two sixes. He formed crucial partnerships, contributing to a 157-run opening stand with Alex Lees (73 off 91 balls) and another 127 runs with skipper Josh Bohanon (93 not out off 140 balls).

Jennings, a left-handed batsman who last played a Test for England nearly five years ago, particularly targeted Navdeep Saini (0/72 in 14 overs), exploiting gaps on both sides of the wicket. Unfortunately, Saini's bowling contrasted with the commendable performance of his fellow new-ball bowler Vidwath Kaverappa (0/38 in 13 overs). The third pacer, Tushar Deshpande, adopting a strategy of short deliveries, struggled the most, conceding 79 runs in 14 overs.

 

 

 

England Rajat Patidar India A