India A are locking horns with England Lions in the second unofficial Test of the series in Northampton. A few Indian batsmen have enjoyed their time in England and scored runs before the all-important five-match Test series. KL Rahul, who landed in England early for the second unofficial Test match, slammed a century in the first innings.

The former India vice-captain followed up with a half-century in the second innings. After Rahul, India A captain Abhimanyu Easwaran also shone with the bat and slammed a half-century.

Easwaran, who has been part of the Test team in a few series, is still uncapped. He also travelled to Australia for the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy but is yet to don the Test cap.

Coming out to bat at number 3 in the third innings of the game, the India A captain scored a quick 80 off 92 balls to audition for that spot before the start of the Test series. Shubman Gill bats at number 3 in Tests but he could move down to number 4 to fill the void created by Virat Kohli's Test retirement.

Easwaran is a full-time opener but he might have to bat at number 3 if given a chance. Rahul is all but confirmed to open the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal in the series. The team management could change the combination if the openers fail to do the job in the initial matches.

Following the second unofficial Test match, India A will square off against Team India in an intra-squad match. The performance of players in that game can also have an impact on their chances of making it to the playing XI during the Test series.

The India-England Test series will kick off on June 20, with the first game taking place in Leeds. The action will move to Birmingham for the second Test match from July 2 to 6. Lord's, Manchester and London will host the last three Tests of the series.

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