“Ranji Trophy equivalent to Test cricket”: Home stars impress rookies against England | cricket news

India A captain Abhimanyu Easwaran praised batsman Sarfaraz Khan and fast bowler Akash Deep after both the players impressed in their Test debuts during the ongoing Test series against England. Easwaran, who recently led India ‘A’ against England Lions, suggested that Ranji Trophy is at par with Test cricket in terms of quality. Despite not getting a place in the Indian Test team, Easwaran was happy to see domestic stars like Sarfaraz and Akash perform well against England.

Easwaran said that the level of Ranji Trophy has improved in the last few years.

“Ranji Trophy is constantly improving because a lot of players are going to the IPL and then coming back to play domestic cricket. The biggest challenge in Ranji Trophy is that out of the 7 matches you play, 3 on green tracks, 2 Will play on turners. And maybe 2 on flat pitches. No one plays for 3 points anymore, everyone wants to win four-day games,” Easwaran explained. India Today in an interview.

Sarfaraz made his debut in the third Test against England and helped India win the match by scoring half-centuries in both innings.

On Sarfaraz’s brilliant Test debut, Easwaran said, “I am very happy for Sarfaraz Khan. I have watched him closely since childhood and he has been brilliant in the last three seasons of Ranji Trophy. He has been brilliant, he has scored 90. Scored runs.” Percentage match. He was very good in the Rajkot Test and would have scored a century if he had not been run out.”

Akash, on the other hand, replaced Jasprit Bumrah in the eleven for the fourth Test and became an instant hit. He took three wickets in the first session of the first day.

Akash’s teammate Easwaran in Bengal said that the fast bowler is one of the most hardworking players he has played with.

“It’s amazing for Bengal, I was expecting him (Akash Deep) to make his debut in the Ranchi Test. It was amazing to see him take the cap from Rahul Dravid. Ever since he came to Bengal, he has been excellent. I think He is one of the hardest working people I know. He bowled amazing on the first day, I was really excited to see him.”