Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI senior selection committee has finalised the 14-member India A squad for the upcoming first unofficial Test against England Lions, starting May 30. According to The Indian Express, the selection has been shaped by the revised IPL schedule, prompting the panel to opt for two separate squads for the two-match series.
India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, whose IPL team Rajasthan Royals failed to make the playoffs, headlines the squad. Ishan Kishan is also set for a return after 18 months, following Sunrisers Hyderabad’s early exit. Kishan is expected to share keeping duties with Dhruv Jurel, who may also play as a specialist batter.
Among other key names in the squad are Shardul Thakur, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and pacer Anshul Kamboj. Karun Nair and Mukesh Kumar are also likely inclusions, although their participation depends on Delhi Capitals’ playoff qualification.
Notably, Sarfaraz Khan has not been named in the India A squad, sparking speculation that he could be in contention for the main Test squad.
Shubman Gill is expected to join the second India A match to gain red-ball match fitness ahead of the England Test series beginning June 20. Sai Sudharsan and Washington Sundar are also set to travel with the second batch.
The two unofficial Tests against the England Lions will serve as a crucial platform for players like Easwaran and Kamboj to push for a place in the main squad, especially with key pacers like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj unlikely to play all five Tests.
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