Abhimanyu Easwaran century gives India A the upper hand

Abhimanyu Easwaran's 11th first-class century and half-centuries from KL Rahul and Priyank Panchal put India A in the driver's seat in the second and final unofficial Test against England Lions.

India A ended the first day on 282 for 3 in Mysore after Rahul, captaining the team, won the toss and chose to bat, putting on a 179-run stand for the first wicket with Abhimanyu.

The two went neck and neck with their scoring rates, putting the English bowlers on the back foot for close to two sessions before Rahul, who hit 89 in the Indians' only innings in the first fixture, was caught behind off Zak Chappell, the medium pacer. Rahul's innings spanned 166 balls and included 11 hits to the boundary.

Abhimanyu and Panchal, who both had very successful Ranji Trophy seasons with 861 runs and 898 runs respectively, built further. They kept the scoreboard ticking over well into the evening session, with Abhimanyu bringing up a century. He was finally dismissed by Dom Bess, the offspinner, in the 74th over after batting 222 balls, hitting 13 fours and one six.

Panchal brought up his half-century after that, and had added 30 runs with Karun Nair when he was bowled by paceman Tom Bailey, signalling an end to the day's proceedings. Nair finished the day with 13 to his name.

The first game had ended in a draw.