Kolkata : BCCI has announced 15 members squad for 2 1st Class Match Series against Australia A at Mackay and Melbourne starting from October 31 to November 7. The squad will also face Indian Men’s Senior Team in an Intra Squad Match on November 15-17 , ahead of Border Gavaskar Trophy. Ruturaj Gaikwad is set to lead the India A side.
The prolific leader Gaikwad has been in terrific form in the ongoing Ranji Trophy as he smashed 145 runs knock against strong Mumbai side, making a statement ahead of Australian tour.
Veteran Abhimanyu Easwaran , who also saw a terrific outing in Duleep Trophy with 2 outstanding centuries and 1 in Irani Cup, is also included in the squad and will play a vital role in the Batting lineup.
Meanwhile, India prolific keeper Batter Ishan Kishan who had a fall out last year with BCCI for not playing domestic matches, has returned to the India A squad.
Nitish Kumar Reddy, who recently received international call and made debut against Bangladesh is also included in the squad and will form a strong middle order along with Devdutt Padikkal , Ricky Bhui, veteran Baba Indrajit, Ishan, Easwaran. Youngsters Sai Sudarshan and Delhi Capitals, Bengal Batter Abhishek Porel also made their way into the squad.
The bowling has strong variations of spin and pace. Spinners like in form Manav Suthar and Tanush Kotian , who can also add lots of value with Bat in lower order, are roped in.
Pace batteries and wicket takers like Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed, Yash Dayal, are included in the line up, forming a great mixture of left and right hand combination, ideal for Australian conditions. However, after a lots of speculations, there’s no sign of left arm pacer Arshdeep Singh.
India A Squad for Australia Tour : Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Abhimanyu Easwaran (VC), Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Devdutt Padikkal, Ricky Bhui, Baba Indrajith, Ishan Kishan (WK), Abishek Porel (WK), Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Yash Dayal, Navdeep Saini, Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian.
