Abhimanyu Easwaran To Audition For A Test Spot Under Ruturaj Gaikwad In Australia Tour

Ruturaj Gaikwad to lead Team India A [Source:@Rajiv1841/X.com]

Days before the much-awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), India A will embark on a shadow tour of Australia. This tour gives both India A and Australia A a chance to test their bench strength in two unofficial Test matches. It’s also an opportunity for Indian players on the fringes to adapt to Australian playing conditions.

The series kicks off with the first match on October 31 at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. The second match starts on November 7 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). After these matches, India A will face the senior India team in a practice game at Perth, between November 15 to 17. This will be the only warm-up match for Rohit Sharma's main squad before the first Test against Australia on November 22 at Optus Stadium.

Ruturaj Gaikwad To Lead India A

Ruturaj Gaikwad is expected to captain the 15-man India A squad. His leadership will help the team prepare for future challenges. Alongside Gaikwad, the squad includes openers Abhimanyu Easwaran and Sai Sudharsan, as the selectors might need a back-up opener for the Test series, especially since Rohit Sharma could miss one of the first two matches for personal reasons.

The squad features several promising names across departments. In the middle order, players like Devdutt Padikkal, Ricky Bhui, and B Indrajith will aim to solidify their spots. Wicket-keeping duties will be shared between Abishek Porel and Ishan Kishan. The all-rounder contingent includes Nitish Kumar Reddy, Tanush Kotian, and Manav Suthar. The fast-bowling attack will consist of Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed, and Yash Dayal.

Abhimanyu Easwaran has been in excellent form, having notched up multiple centuries this season, including in the Duleep Trophy and Ranji Trophy. Sai Sudharsan has also impressed with a hundred for Surrey in county cricket and a double century in the ongoing Ranji Trophy.

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INDIA A LIKELY TEAM FOR THE AUSTRALIA A TOUR:

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan, B Indrajith, Abishek Porel (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Mukesh Kumar, Ricky Bhui, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Manav Suthar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed, Tanush Kotian, Yash Dayal.