Mumbai, September 6 – Shreyas Iyer, who was overlooked for selection in both the Indian Test squad and the T20 team for the Asia Cup, has been named captain of the India A side for two unofficial four-day Tests against Australia A in Lucknow. The matches will be played at Ekana Stadium from September 16 to 19 and September 23 to 26.
Experienced batsman KL Rahul and pacer Mohammed Siraj will join the squad for the second match, giving them valuable practice ahead of India’s home Test series against West Indies and South Africa. India’s domestic season will begin with a two-match Test series against West Indies, starting October 2 in Ahmedabad.
Iyer, currently featuring for West Zone in the Duleep Trophy semifinal against Central Zone, will lead a squad featuring a mix of young talents and experienced campaigners. Dhruv Jurel, who played the fifth Test against England at The Oval, has been appointed vice-captain. Tamil Nadu’s N Jagadeesan, who was a late call-up to the England tour as Rishabh Pant’s replacement, is also part of the squad after scoring a brilliant 197 in the Duleep Trophy semifinal for South Zone.
As per agency report, Mumbai all-rounder Tanush Kotian has been included along with Vidarbha players Harsh Dubey and Yash Thakur. Dubey was the leading wicket-taker in last season’s Ranji Trophy with 69 wickets, playing a key role in Vidarbha’s title triumph. Kotian, who traveled to Australia earlier this year after R Ashwin’s retirement, has yet to make it into the playing XI.
The batting lineup includes Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, and Delhi captain Ayush Badoni, who receives his maiden call-up. All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy is also part of the squad. The pace attack features Prasidh Krishna, Khaleel Ahmed, Yash Thakur, and tall Punjab fast bowler Gurnoor Brar, who has previously been a regular net bowler with the national team. The spin department includes Dubey, Kotian, and Rajasthan’s Manav Suthar.
The Australia A side will field several players with Test experience, including Sam Konstas and Nathan McSweeney, both of whom competed for an opening spot during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, as well as Cooper Connolly and spinner Todd Murphy.
India A squad: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhimanyu Easwaran, N Jagadeesan (wicketkeeper), Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel (vice-captain and wicketkeeper), Devdutt Padikkal, Harsh Dubey, Ayush Badoni, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Tanush Kotian, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Khaleel Ahmed, Manav Suthar, Yash Thakur.
