KL Rahul made a successful comeback to red-ball cricket, scoring a well-compiled century for his side, India A, against the England Lions in the second unofficial Test. Rahul hit his hundred after Tea on Day 1 off 151 balls, taking command of the innings, signalling he was ready to take back the opener's role in the Test series coming up. Rahul came to bat as an opener and looked rock solid in his game despite losing Yashasvi Jaiswal for 17 runs and Abhimanyu Easwaran for 11 runs. The Indian legendary batter then partnered with Karun Nair to stitch a crucial partnership of 86 runs, which provided solidarity to the Indian batting order after early setbacks. Unfortunately, Nair was dismissed for a solid score of 40 runs off just 71 balls.

Upon getting settled, the talismanic India batter slowly shifted gears, reaching his fifty with patience and then quickly accelerating to his well-deserved century with great confidence and authority. His mature knock included 13 boundaries along with a humongous six. This innings from KL not only put India A in a commanding position but also re assured his case for a permanent spot in India’s Test XI. What was outstanding in that knock was Rahul’s ability to absorb in the relentless pressure and then construct a high-class innings from a very difficult position. This also reflected his experience and adaptability in red-ball cricket.

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Rahul’s form is particularly timely given the selection dilemma at the top of the order. With Rohit Sharma’s position potentially up for grabs, Rahul’s century could prove decisive. Having been shuffled between opening and middle-order roles in recent series, including against Australia, the wicket-keeper batter now looks set for a return to the top. After filling in for Rishabh Pant during his absence, Rahul’s consistent performances and positional flexibility could be just what the team needs heading into a crucial Test season.

Chris Woakes star for England Lions

Chris Woakes made a strong comeback from injury with a fiery new-ball spell in the first Test against India at Leeds. Leading England’s pace attack, Woakes struck early by trapping Yashasvi Jaiswal LBW with a sharp in-seamer that seamed in late. Chris Woakes almost got Abhimanyu Easwaran off the first ball of his spell, but the batter was fortunate when a slip catch was put down. Woakes went on to bowl with control and precision and eventually found a way through Easwaran's defence, this time with a searing delivery that nipped back and crashed into the stumps.

Woakes did not stop there. When he made a second spell in the afternoon session, he struck again, dismissing Karun Nair, who looked well set getting trapped leg before wicket by Woakes; he showed great ability to extract movement off the pitch whilst keeping a probing line and length to maintain pressure on the Indian batters.  Woakes' three-wicket haul highlighted his value to the England side during the comeback.