England Lions vs India A 2025, Day 2 Review: Haines, Gay fifties keep home team on track to wipe off deficit

India A wrapped up their first innings at 348 runs on Day 2, after starting from their Day 1 score of 319/7. Tanush Kotian and Anshul Kamboj were at the crease, but England Lions pacer Josh Tongue wasted no time in wrapping up the innings.

Kotian showed aggression early while striking back-to-back boundaries off Tongue. But, Tongue had the last laugh by delivering a length ball that angled in, beating Kotian's drive to dismantle the stumps. Kotian departed after scoring 15. In the fourth ball of Tongue’s next over, Kamboj was trapped in front. Despite brief resistance from Tushar Deshpande and Khaleel Ahmed, a direct hit from Tongue ended the innings at 348.

In reply, England Lions openers Tom Haines and Ben McKinney provided a steady start. The Indian pacers Khaleel and Kamboj found some swing but struggled with their lines. McKinney capitalized with consecutive boundaries off Khaleel.

Kamboj had a chance to dismiss McKinney early, but a straightforward catch was dropped at backward point. But the redemption came just two balls later from Kamboj when McKinney edged one to Dhruv Jurel for a low catch. England Lions stood at 58/1 at Lunch, trailing by 290 runs.

After the break, Haines and Emilio Gay displayed calmness by building a solid partnership. Shardul Thakur struggled with control, bowling four no-balls in his five-over spell. Haines, who scored a century in the first unofficial Test, went on to register a fifty. The Lions added 65 runs in 11 overs after Lunch without any loss.

Deshpande eventually broke the stand, conjuring up an edge from Haines with a fuller delivery outside off which was safely taken by Jurel. Haines departed for a well-made 54. With a slight drizzle interrupting play, England Lions went into the Tea break at 146/2, trailing by 202 runs.

After Tea, Emilio Gay notched up his half-century. The left-hander, along with Jordan Cox, built a steady 69-run partnership. However, Kotian returned to trap Gay in front with a flatter delivery and ended his innings at 71.

The skipper James Rew joined Cox, but poor light forced the players off the field shortly after his arrival. At Stumps on Day 2, England Lions were 192/3, trailing by 156 runs. Cox remained unbeaten on 31, with Rew yet to score. Kotian was the standout among the Indian bowlers and finished the day with figures of 7-0-21-1.