As India A takes on Australia A in the first unofficial Test on Thursday, the focus will be on the key performances of Abhimanyu Easwaran, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Prasidh Krishna. This four-day match offers a prime opportunity for these players to make their case for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (India vs Australia Test) series, scheduled to start on November 22.
Abhimanyu Easwaran: Potential backup for Rohit Sharma
Abhimanyu Easwaran, vice-captain of the India A squad, is emerging as a potential replacement for captain Rohit Sharma, who may miss matches due to personal reasons. Easwaran, a 29-year-old opener, brings a wealth of experience with 99 First-Class matches under his belt and an impressive record of 7,638 runs, including 27 centuries and 29 half-centuries.
His recent performances in domestic circuits like the Duleep Trophy and Ranji Trophy have been outstanding, adding to his confidence going into this high-stakes match against Australia A.
Nitish Kumar Reddy: Promising Pace-Bowling All-Rounder
Nitish Kumar Reddy, a pace-bowling all-rounder, enters the game as a prospect with more batting strength than bowling prowess. In the Duleep Trophy, his batting had mixed results, with two ducks and a highest score of 40, while he managed just two wickets with the ball.
As India A looks for all-round stability, Nitish Kumar Reddy’s performance against Australia A could be an opportunity to showcase his skills and work on his bowling consistency, which is essential for a pace-bowling all-rounder at the international level.
Prasidh Krishna: Regaining Rhythm After Injury
Prasidh Krishna’s inclusion in the India A squad brings a vital asset to the bowling attack, especially with his potential to generate bounce on Australian pitches due to his height.
Prasidh Krishna, who is returning from an injury, is aiming to regain his rhythm and could be called up as a backup for the senior team in case of workload management concerns for Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. His performance in this unofficial Test will be crucial to proving his readiness and fitness for international play.
India A Squad Overview
Under the leadership of Ruturaj Gaikwad, the India A squad is well-balanced, featuring a mix of seasoned players and emerging talent. In addition to Easwaran, Reddy, and Krishna, players like Sai Sudharsan, Yash Dayal, Navdeep Saini, and Devdutt Padikkal are also eager to make an impression. The squad includes:
India A Squad:
Ruturaj Gaikwad (captain), Abhimanyu Easwaran (vice-captain), Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan, B Indrajith, Abishek Porel (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Mukesh Kumar, Ricky Bhui, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Manav Suthar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed, Tanush Kotian, Prasidh Krishna.
Australia A Squad
Australia A will be led by Nathan McSweeney and boasts a lineup of promising players, including Cameron Bancroft, Scott Boland, and Marcus Harris. With both teams looking to test their talent ahead of significant international fixtures, this match is set to be a competitive one.
Australia A Squad:
Nathan McSweeney (captain), Cameron Bancroft, Scott Boland, Jordan Buckingham, Cooper Connolly, Ollie Davies, Brendan Doggett, Marcus Harris, Sam Konstas, Nathan McAndrew, Michael Neser, Todd Murphy, Fergus O’Neill, Jimmy Peirson, Josh Philippe, Corey Rocchiccioli, Beau Webster.
Key opportunity for India emerging stars
For many players in both squads, this unofficial Test serves as a gateway to higher honours, as selectors closely monitor performances. With Abhimanyu Easwaran, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Prasidh Krishna at the forefront, India A’s clash with Australia A holds the promise of thrilling cricket and significant takeaways for India’s cricketing future.
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