On the first day of the second unofficial Test match, Chris Woakes led the England Lions with the ball, claiming the first three Indian wickets. Woakes was chosen to England's team for the first Test of the series in Headingley, Leeds, after coming back from an injury, which is a positive indicator for him.

But KL Rahul's flawless and precise century, which included 116 runs and established the foundation for India A's innings, left Woakes feeling disappointed. Given the liveliness and movement of the pitch during the day, Woakes was particularly effusive in his praise of the Indian opener.

"KL played really well, good hundred, on a wicket that did a little bit all day. Although there were times when things were a little quiet, it was busy for the majority of the day," Woakes remarked in an interview with ESPNcricinfo after the day's play.

Regarding the experience of planning against an Indian side that does not include Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli, Woakes noted the high caliber of the replacements and the depth of the lineup, which he believes puts the team in a good position.

"It's always beneficial to face fierce competition in the lead-up to a Test series that you know will be hard fought. Over the years, we've had some thrilling encounters with Rohit and Virat. It's a shame they won't be there for the game itself, Woakes remarked.

"But Indian cricket has so much depth, the players who will come in, I'm sure will be of a very high standard, who have proven themselves in some way or the other," stated the Englishman.

Chris Woakes' three-wicket performance earned him a "ticked box"

If Woakes is selected for England's Test team, he will gain confidence from having dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal on the first day. Jaiswal was caught LBW when he fell across after being struck by a large inswinger. Woakes also took the wickets of Ahimanyu Easwaran and Karun Nair, both of whom were LBW.

When asked whether he liked the Jaiswal wicket, Woakes stated that he was pleased with his performance after an injury layoff, as well as his ability to bowl a prolonged period. "To be honest, I enjoyed all three. Even though I thought I might have a few more, I was happy with how the ball turned out. It was most important for me to get past 17 overs. For me, the box is marked.

Read Also: Team India Senses Kohli and Rohit’s Absence in England: ‘A New Chapter Begins’

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