Bharat's 116 not out helps IND 'A' safe draw against English Lions

KS Bharat hit an astonishing 116 and failed to help India 'A' secure a hard-fought draw against the English Lions.

New Delhi: India's wicketkeeper-batsman KS Bharat hit an astonishing 116 not out. Meanwhile, Sai Sudharsan, Sarfaraz Khan and Manav Suthar contributed their crucial fifties to help India 'A' to a hard-fought draw against England Lions in the first four-day match at the Narendra Modi Stadium 'A' pitch on Saturday. .

It was a match where India 'A' were behind for most of the match but managed to end the match in a draw and avoid defeat against England Lions. Chasing a massive 490 on the final day of the match, Sudarshan made 97 off 208 balls, including 13 boundaries, while Sarfaraz slammed 55 off 67 balls, including ten boundaries.

The duo were also in an 87-run stand for the third wicket but they quickly fell to spinner Callum Parkinson and India 'A' found themselves in trouble at 223/5 after being at 159/4 at stumps on day three. But Bharat hit a sensational century, with his unbeaten 116 coming in 156 balls, including hitting 15 boundaries.

He also shared a stand of 207 off 331 balls with Suthar, who made 89 not out off 204 balls, including hitting 16 boundaries. Bharat's strike comes at the right time as he, Dhruv Jurel and KL Rahul are in a three-way battle for the wicketkeeper-batsman's place in India's squad for the first Test against England at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, which starts in January. 25.

Bharat made his Test debut in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series last year, but made just 129 runs at 18.42 in five Tests, with a highest score of 44. With Rahul looking more likely to play as a specialist batsman, Bharat's unbeaten century in a Due to the difficult situation, he has an advantage over the young Jurel.

The second four-day match between India 'A' and England Lions will start from January 24 at the Narendra Modi Stadium Ground 'A'.