Ruturaj Gaikwad. (Picture Credit: Instagram/@
ruutu.131)
India A will play two first-class matches against Australia A in Mackay and Melbourne respectively and then take part in a three-day intra-squad game against Team India (Senior Men) in Perth.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the 15-man India A squad that would tour Australia ahead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy series 2024-25, slated to begin on November 22.
Ruturaj Gaikwad will lead the side with Abhimanyu Easwaran as his deputy. Some of the other interesting additions include the likes of Ricky Bhui, Ishan Kishan, and Abishek Porel among others.
The return of Ishan Kishan is a massive boost with the wicketkeeper-batter back in the run for a spot in the national side. He has not been a part of the Indian side ever since his withdrawal from the Test squad for the South Africa tour, earlier this year.
Several young players will also look at the tour to test themselves in foreign conditions and hope to adapt to the challenge as they aim to claim a spot in the senior side.
Among the notable misses include that of Cheteshwar Pujara who has not even been included in the A-squad considering his experience of playing in Australian conditions. In his recent Ranji Trophy match for Saurashtra, he smashed 234 runs against Chattisgarh to help salvage a draw. Despite his performances, he continues to be overlooked as the Indian selectors opt to give younger players chances in the A-squad.
According to the BCCI’s release, the IND-A side will take part in two first-class games against Australia A taking place in Mackay and Melbourne respectively. This would then be followed by a three-day intra-squad game against the senior Indian team.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series is now a five-match Test series, which begins on November 22 at Perth, followed by Adelaide (December 6), Brisbane (December 14), Melbourne (December 26) and Sydney (January 3) respectively. Both India and Australia will look to put their best foot forward as two of the toughest cricketing nations are set to go toe-to-toe in the headline event of the year.
India A squad for the tour of Australia: 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
