The BCCI announced on Friday (May 16) that Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan, Shardul Thakur, and Karun Nair have been selected in a formidable India 'A' squad for the forthcoming tour of England.
For the second game, Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill will be added to the team, which is captained by Abhimanyu Easwaran. Easwaran's deputy in the 18-man squad will be wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel.
The first first-class game against England A begins on May 30 in Canterbury, with the second starting on June 6 in Northampton. After playing England A, the India A side will also be playing the senior India side in a four-day fixture from June 13.
There are also several fast-bowling alternatives in the England A squad. In addition to Shardul Thakur, it features all-arounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, Tushar Deshpande, and Mukesh Kumar.
Meanwhile, offspinner Tanush Kotian and left-arm spinners Manav Suthar and Harsh Dubey are the spin-bowling alternatives. Dubey has just won the Ranji Trophy campaign's player of the tournament award.
Batting is where the India A squad stands out. Apart from Easwaran, Jaiswal, Karun, Jurel, and Kishan, the 18-man unit also features Sarfaraz Khan and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Unfortunately, Devdutt Padikkal, who suffered a hamstring injury, misses out.
The England A series, meanwhile, provides a chance for Nair, 33, to return to the national side. Nair was the second-highest run scorer for the Ranji winners Vidarbha in 2024–25 with 863 runs in nine games. In 2023 and 2024, he also played county cricket for Northamptonshire, amassing 736 runs at an average of 56.61. His highest score was 202*, and he hit two hundreds and four half-centuries.
India A squad:
Abhimanyu Easwaran (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair, Dhruv Jurel (VC-WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Ishan Kishan (WK), Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan, Tushar Deshpande and Harsh Dubey
Note: Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan will join the squad ahead of the second match.
India A tour of England:
First match, May 30- June 2, Canterbury
Second match, June 6- June 9, Northampton
Third match, June 13- June 16, Intra-squad match
(BCCI inputs)
