In a significant move, the BCCI senior men’s selection committee, led by chairman Ajit Agarkar, unveiled the 13-member India A squad for the upcoming red-ball home series against England Lions. The tour, beginning with a two-day warm-up game on January 12 at Narendra Modi Stadium Ground ‘B’ in Ahmedabad, is set to be a crucial opportunity for players eyeing a spot in the Indian Test side.
Abhimanyu Easwaran to Lead India A
Bengal cricketer Abhimanyu Easwaran, who recently toured South Africa with the Indian Test side, has been appointed as the captain for India A. The squad features notable players like Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, and Pradosh Paul, all aiming to secure a place in the middle-order of the Indian Test lineup. Sudharsan and Patidar made their ODI debuts in South Africa, while Pradosh had a commendable performance for India A in the red-ball match against South Africa A.
Pace Department and Emerging Talents
The pace department will be led by Navdeep Saini and Akash Deep, the latter having recently joined India’s ODI squad during the South Africa series. The competition for the third seamer’s spot is expected to be intense, with Vidwath Kaverappa from Karnataka and experienced Mumbai pacer Tushar Deshpande in contention.
Young left-arm Rajasthan bowler Manav Suthar, who showcased impressive performances in the last domestic season and emerging players’ tournaments, aims to make an impact on the selectors.
Shadow Tour to England’s Series
The India A and England Lions series is strategically planned as a shadow tour to England’s five-match series against India, commencing from January 25. Considering the challenges of a grueling five-match Test series, the players in this squad are aware that a strong performance could pave the way for inclusion in the senior team.
Timing Clash with Ranji Trophy
Despite the significance of these matches, the timing presents a challenge, as they coincide with the second and third rounds of the Ranji Trophy, which began on Friday.
India A Squad:
– Abhimanyu Easwaran (Captain)
– Sai Sudharsan
– Rajat Patidar
– Sarfaraz Khan
– Pradosh Ranjan Paul
– KS Bharat (WK)
– Manav Suthar
– Pulkit Narang
– Navdeep Saini
– Tushar Deshpande
– Vidwath Kaverappa
– Dhruv Jurel (WK)
– Akash Deep
