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Ruturaj Gaikwad to Captain India A in First-Class Matches Against Australia A
India A will embark on an exciting tour of Australia, with Ruturaj Gaikwad set to lead the side in two first-class matches. The games will take place at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay and the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), marking crucial encounters for several young cricketers aiming to make a mark at the international level. A three-day intra-squad practice match will follow these fixtures, scheduled to take place against the senior India men’s team at the iconic WACA Ground in Perth.
Abhimanyu Easwaran has been named as Gaikwad’s deputy for the series. Both Gaikwad and Easwaran have enjoyed impressive performances recently, and their leadership will play a key role in nurturing the talent within the India A squad during this tour.
India A Squad: Key Players and New Opportunities
The India A squad includes several promising names. Gaikwad, who previously captained India C in the Duleep Trophy, comes into the series with 231 runs under his belt in two games, including a standout 145-run knock against Mumbai. Meanwhile, Abhimanyu Easwaran, who led India B to third place in the Duleep Trophy, also had a stellar run, notching up multiple centuries. Alongside Gaikwad and Easwaran, Sai Sudharsan presents another strong option for a backup opener, ensuring depth in the squad ahead of the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The batting lineup will feature Andhra’s prolific batter Ricky Bhui, who topped the run charts in the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy season and excelled in the Duleep Trophy as well. Tamil Nadu’s Baba Indrajith, a consistent performer with 767 runs in the previous campaign, adds further stability to the middle order. Karnataka’s Devdutt Padikkal is another potential middle-order solution with proven capability.
The wicket-keeping department will be shared between Ishan Kishan and Abishek Porel, ensuring solid options behind the stumps. Kishan’s attacking gameplay, coupled with Porel’s wicket-keeping prowess, provides balance to the squad.
Bowlers to Watch Out For
The pace attack for India A will feature Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Yash Dayal, and Navdeep Saini. This quartet brings a blend of experience and youth, with each player eager to showcase their potential in Australian conditions.
Mumbai’s all-rounder Tanush Kotian, who made an impression during the Duleep Trophy, will bring valuable variety to the bowling attack with his off-spin. Nitish Kumar Reddy, who recently made his debut for India in Gwalior, is another versatile player in the squad, capable of contributing both with the ball and bat.
India A Tour Schedule in Australia
- 1st First-Class Match: October 31 – November 3, Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay
- 2nd First-Class Match: November 7 – November 10, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
- Three-Day Intra-Squad Practice Match: November 15 – November 17, WACA Ground, Perth
This tour will serve as an ideal preparation platform for several players as they look to push for a spot in the senior national team during the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
