Team India haven’t played Test cricket since the tour of West Indies in July this year. Their next red-ball assignment is scheduled against South Africa, starting on December 26 in Centurion.
India will play two Tests during their all-format tour of South Africa. Ahead of the series, some of the Test specialists might take part in India 'A' side's three-match shadow tour of the country.
Over the years, the BCCI has arranged 'A' team tours to countries where the senior team is supposed to travel for Test matches. Since the sole focus was on the ODI World Cup in recent months, the pathways cricket (A team tours, U-19 series) didn't happen after the Bangladesh series last year.
However, there are as many as five or six 'A' games scheduled in the first-class format between December and January. After playing three four-day games in South Africa, India ‘A’ will host England Lions in two to three four-day matches prior to the Anthony de Mello Trophy.
"Yes, there are three four-day Tests between India 'A' and South Africa 'A' next month. The team for that will be announced in some days. Most of the consistent young performers along with those (seniors) who need some game time before the two Test matches in Centurion (December 26 to 30) and Cape Town (January 3-7) will be there," a BCCI source told PTI on condition of anonymity.
While the likes of Abhimanyu Easwaran, B Sai Sudharsan, Yash Dhull, Kona Bharat, Upendra Yadav and Saurabh Kumar are certain to feature in the four-day games, it would be interesting to see if seniors such as Ajinkya Rahane, R Ashwin and Jaydev Unadkat get to play at least one match to fine-tune their skills ahead of the all-important Test series.
Out-of-favour Jayant Yadav and Services off-spinner Pulkit Narang, who often bowl at India nets during Test series, might be considered for selection in the India ‘A’ team as well.
Among the young pacers, Vidwath Kaverappa, Kuldeep Sen, Harshit Rana and Umran Malik could well be in the mix along with seasoned campaigner Navdeep Saini.
With Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill in the scheme of things, it remains to be seen whether Mayank Agarwal – Ranji Trophy's highest scorer last season – will get a recall in the India ‘A’ side or not.
(With PTI Inputs)
