Ruturaj Gaikwad will lead India A in Australia
Ruturaj Gaikwad has been appointed as the captain of the India A team for their upcoming tour to Australia, with Abhimanyu Easwaran set to be his deputy. The 15-member squad was announced by the BCCI on October 21, and it includes key players like Ishan Kishan, who has been performing well in domestic cricket for Jharkhand in the ongoing Ranji Trophy. This tour will be crucial for these youngsters as they look to make their mark on the Australian soil.
Gaikwad, in particular, has been in sensational form in domestic cricket. His recent performances in the Ranji Trophy, which include an 86 against Jammu & Kashmir and a brilliant 145 against Mumbai, have positioned him as a strong contender for future selections in the senior Indian team.
Ishan Kishan and Abhimanyu Easwaran Aim for National Return
Keeper-batter Ishan Kishan, who has lost his central contract with the BCCI, is striving to regain his spot in the national team through strong domestic performances. Kishan has been in excellent form, scoring a century for Jharkhand against Railways in the Ranji Trophy and centuries in the Duleep Trophy and the Buchi Babu Memorial tournament. His inclusion in the India A squad further strengthens his chances of making a comeback.
Abhimanyu Easwaran, appointed vice-captain, has also been outstanding in the domestic circuit. The Bengal batter has scored four consecutive hundreds in first-class cricket, showcasing his reliability at the top of the order. Easwaran will be an important figure alongside Gaikwad in leading the team’s efforts in Australia.
India A Squad’s Other Notable Players
The India A squad for the tour includes several promising talents. Among them are Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Devdutt Padikkal, Ricky Bhui, and Baba Indrajith. All of these players have demonstrated their potential in domestic competitions and will be eager to impress selectors with strong performances on the tour.
The bowling attack comprises the likes of Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Yash Dayal, and Navdeep Saini, providing a balanced mix of pace and spin. Spinner Manav Suthar and all-rounder Tanush Kotian will also be key components of the squad.
Opportunity for Youngsters Amid Rohit Sharma’s Likely Absence
With reports suggesting that senior opener Rohit Sharma may miss the first two Tests against Australia, this India A tour could open doors for several of these young players. Strong performances in the two first-class matches and the intra-squad game will be critical for players like Gaikwad, Easwaran, and Kishan as they aim to fill potential vacancies in the senior team for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
India A’s Tour Schedule
The India A team is set to play two first-class matches against Australia A in Mackay and Melbourne. Following these games, they will participate in a three-day intra-squad match against the senior Indian team in Perth, which will serve as a preparatory game for the Indian team ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This game will be a key part of India’s buildup to the Test series, offering crucial match practice for both squads.
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Significance of the Tour for Indian Cricket
This tour to Australia is crucial for several young Indian cricketers who are on the brink of making it to the senior team. With the World Test Championship underway and India looking to build a strong bench for future international series, standout performances on this tour could solidify spots for some of these players in upcoming Test matches or other formats.
India A Squad for Australia Tour
The India A squad for the Australia tour includes Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Abhimanyu Easwaran (VC), Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Devdutt Padikkal, Ricky Bhui, Baba Indrajith, Ishan Kishan (WK), Abishek Khaleel Ahmed, Porel (WK), Mukesh Kumar, Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian, Yash Dayal,and Navdeep Saini.
