"Ranji Trophy On Par With Test Cricket": Domestic Star After Rookies Impress vs England

India A captain Abhimanyu Easwaran was all praise for batter Sarfaraz Khan and pacer Akash Deep after both players impressed on their Test debuts during the ongoing Test series against England. Easwaran, who recently led India 'A' against the England Lions, suggested that Ranji Trophy is on par with Test cricket in terms of quality. Despite not getting a place in the Indian Test squad, Easwaran was delighted to see the domestic stars like Sarfaraz and Akash doing well against England.

Easwaran pointed out that the standard of Ranji Trophy has only improved over the last few years.

"Ranji Trophy is constantly improving because a lot of players are going into the IPL and then coming back to play domestic cricket. The biggest challenge in the Ranji Trophy is that out of 7 matches, you will play 3 on green track, 2 on turners and maybe 2 on flat pitches. Nobody plays for 3 points anymore, everyone is looking to win the four-day game," Easwaran told India Today in an interview.

Sarfaraz made his debut in the third Test against England, scoring half-centuries in both innings to help India win the game.

Speaking on Sarfaraz's impressive Test debut, Easwaran said: "I feel so happy for Sarfaraz Khan. I have seen him up close since childhood and he has been stunning in the last three seasons of Ranji Trophy. He has been fantastic, scoring runs in 90 per cent of the matches. He was so good in the Rajkot Test and would have scored a hundred, if he had not gotten run out."

Akash, on the other hand, replaced Jasprit Bumrah in the XI for the fourth Test, and was an instant hit. He took three wickets in the first session of Day 1.

A teammate of Akash at Bengal, Easwaran said that the pacer is one of the most hardworking players he has