The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced India A squad for the couple of four-day matches against Australia A later this month. Ruturaj Gaikwad will lead the side, while Abhimanyu Easwaran has been named as his deputy as several players look to press their cases for their inclusion in the Test squad.
Ishan Kishan is the most notable inclusion, having had a rocky journey since his Test debut last year as it culminated in him losing his central contract. However, the keeper-batter has stormed back into contention with a century for Jharkhand against the Railways in the Ranji Trophy. Abhishek Porel is another keeper included in the squad.
With Mohammed Shami unlikely to be available at least for the first half of the series, the likes of Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Yash Dayal, Navdeep Saini, and Tanush Kotian have the opportunity to throw their hat a pacer's spot. A good outing from Nitish Reddy could earn him a spot in the Test squad for the Australia series.
Meanwhile, Gaikwad, Easwaran, and Sudharsan will compete for an opener's spot and could play in the series opener against Australia if Rohit Sharma is unavailable.
India A squad to face Australia A:
Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Abhimanyu Easwaran (VC), Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Devdutt Padikkal, Ricky Bhui, Baba Indrajith, Ishan Kishan (WK), Abishek Porel (WK), Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Yash Dayal, Navdeep Saini, Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian.
October 31-November 3: First Four-day match, McKay
November 7-10: Second four-day match, Melbourne.
On October 14th, Cricket Australia named a 17-member A squad, set to be captained by Nathan McSweeney.
