The Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) has consistently recognized and rewarded top cricketing talent by including them in the India A squad, a platform that serves as a stepping stone to the national squad. Despite the struggles faced by the national team in recent times, some fans have expressed their opinion that the selection committee may not be adequately considering players who have showcased their skills in domestic tournaments such as the Ranji Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Abhimanyu Easwaran to Lead India A Squad
The BCCI has taken a significant step by unveiling the India A team for the upcoming series against England (England Lions) this Saturday. Headed by the Selection Committee Chief, Ajit Agarkar, the squad is set to be led by Abhimanyu Easwaran and features a promising lineup that includes notable names such as Rajat Patidar, Sai Sudarshan, and Akash Deep. These players have been consistent in domestic cricket across all formats including the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The composition of the India A team has brought little surprise, given that the selected players have already undergone testing and proven themselves in Indian conditions. With the upcoming test tour scheduled to commence on January 12th, the team is gearing up for their first two-day unofficial warm-up match at Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium, Ground B. Subsequently, the first four-day match is set to kick off on January 17th.
The inclusion of Sarfaraz Khan in the squad has addressed the dissent among fans who felt that players like him were not given sufficient opportunities in the India A or India team despite consistently amassing runs in the Ranji circuit. Sarfaraz Khan’s presence in the squad not only reflects the recognition of his domestic cricket performances but also provides him with a valuable opportunity for guidance and confidence-building at a higher level.
The likes of Rajat Patidar, Sai Sudarshan and Sarfaraz Khan will look to grab the eyeballs of the selectors with a performance as the India team’s middle order has looked shaky in recent times. Amongst the bowlers, Manav Suthar has been given a chance in the India A team after the player championed in the emerging players’ tournament and also in the last domestic season. He will look forward to impressing the selectors when given a chance.
India A Squad For Series Against England Lions
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
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