<p class="title">Out-of-favour India opener K L Rahul was back amongst the runs, his unbeaten 88 steering India A to 219 for one on day two of the first unofficial Test against England Lions here on Friday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">India 'A' came up with a strong reply to England Lions' first innings score of 340, courtesy Rahul and Priyank Panchal, who was unbeaten on 89.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Navdeep Saini's five-wicket haul helped the host restrict the Lions, who resumed the day at 303 for five. Apart from Ben Duckett (80), there were half-centuries for Sam Hain (61) and Will Jack (63).</p>.<p class="bodytext">The stylish Rahul, who played a few matches in the preceding ODI series against the Lions but couldn't get going, started slowly, scoring 12 off 57 balls.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He played with assurance and in Panchal's company added 171 runs for the second wicket.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Rahul looked compact and left a lot of balls early in his innings. After settling down, he played some delightful shots all round the wicket, including a few beautiful drives.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The stylish Karnataka batsman, who had a dismal Australia tour, handled the Lions pace bowlers and spinners with equal ease.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Rahul was sent back from Australia following the conclusion of the Tests after he and Hardik Pandya were caught in a massive controversy over their loose remarks on women during a television show. The BCCI revoked their interim suspension pending an inquiry.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Following that, he was picked in the India A limited-overs squad for the ODIs against the Lions. Friday's knock would give him a lot of confidence in the wake of his recent on and off field struggles.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Gujarat batsman Panchal matched Rahul stroke for stroke and played some lovely shots, hitting 16 fours in all.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Earlier in the day, Saini picked up three of the five wickets to fall in the first session, triggering the Lions' collapse from 321 for six to 340 all out.</p>.<p class="ListBody"><span class="bold"><strong>Brief scores:</strong></span> England Lions: 340 all out in 104.3 overs (Ben Duckett 80, Will Jack 63, Sam Hain 61; Navdeep Saini 5-79) vs India 'A': 219/1 in 67 overs (KL Rahul 88 batting, A R Easwaran 31, Priyank Panchal 89 batting).</p>
<p class="title">Out-of-favour India opener K L Rahul was back amongst the runs, his unbeaten 88 steering India A to 219 for one on day two of the first unofficial Test against England Lions here on Friday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">India 'A' came up with a strong reply to England Lions' first innings score of 340, courtesy Rahul and Priyank Panchal, who was unbeaten on 89.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Navdeep Saini's five-wicket haul helped the host restrict the Lions, who resumed the day at 303 for five. Apart from Ben Duckett (80), there were half-centuries for Sam Hain (61) and Will Jack (63).</p>.<p class="bodytext">The stylish Rahul, who played a few matches in the preceding ODI series against the Lions but couldn't get going, started slowly, scoring 12 off 57 balls.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He played with assurance and in Panchal's company added 171 runs for the second wicket.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Rahul looked compact and left a lot of balls early in his innings. After settling down, he played some delightful shots all round the wicket, including a few beautiful drives.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The stylish Karnataka batsman, who had a dismal Australia tour, handled the Lions pace bowlers and spinners with equal ease.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Rahul was sent back from Australia following the conclusion of the Tests after he and Hardik Pandya were caught in a massive controversy over their loose remarks on women during a television show. The BCCI revoked their interim suspension pending an inquiry.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Following that, he was picked in the India A limited-overs squad for the ODIs against the Lions. Friday's knock would give him a lot of confidence in the wake of his recent on and off field struggles.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Gujarat batsman Panchal matched Rahul stroke for stroke and played some lovely shots, hitting 16 fours in all.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Earlier in the day, Saini picked up three of the five wickets to fall in the first session, triggering the Lions' collapse from 321 for six to 340 all out.</p>.<p class="ListBody"><span class="bold"><strong>Brief scores:</strong></span> England Lions: 340 all out in 104.3 overs (Ben Duckett 80, Will Jack 63, Sam Hain 61; Navdeep Saini 5-79) vs India 'A': 219/1 in 67 overs (KL Rahul 88 batting, A R Easwaran 31, Priyank Panchal 89 batting).</p>