The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled the India A squad for a crucial tour of England, with Bengal opener Abhimanyu Easwaran named as captain. The team, set to face England Lions in two unofficial Tests from May 30 to June 2 and June 6 to 9, 2025, followed by a match against the senior Indian team from June 13 to 16, is a blend of seasoned players and emerging talent. This shadow tour is pivotal as Indian cricket navigates a transitional phase following the Test retirements of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Easwaran, a consistent domestic performer, will lead a squad featuring explosive opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, experienced middle-order batter Karun Nair, and wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan. Dhruv Jurel, named vice-captain, will share wicketkeeping duties with Kishan. The team also includes all-rounders Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shardul Thakur, alongside spinners Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian, and Harsh Dubey. The pace attack is bolstered by Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, and Tushar Deshpande, with batters Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sarfaraz Khan rounding out the lineup.
Notably, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan will join the squad for the second match, with Gill, a frontrunner to replace Sharma as India’s Test captain, using the tour to gain match practice ahead of the five-match Test series against England starting June 20, 2025. The inclusion of Nair, backed by former captain Anil Kumble for India’s No. 4 spot, and Thakur, marking a Test comeback, signals the selectors’ focus on rewarding domestic form and building bench strength.
The tour is critical for India’s red-ball rebuild, with the absence of Sharma and Kohli leaving gaps in leadership and the batting lineup. Easwaran, despite a lackluster Australia A tour last year, has been entrusted with leadership, reflecting confidence in his batting prowess and captaincy experience. Players like Jurel, Reddy, and Gaikwad are seen as potential mainstays for India’s Test future, while the bowling unit, led by Akash Deep and Rana, aims to test England’s conditions.
The India A tour serves as a proving ground for players vying for senior team spots, especially with the World Test Championship cycle extending to 2027. The selectors, under pressure to identify a new Test captain and fill key batting roles, view this series as a chance to assess talent under challenging conditions. The squad’s composition reflects a strategic mix of youth and experience, aiming to shape India’s long-term Test prospects.
As anticipation builds for the senior team’s England series, the India A squad’s performance will be closely watched, offering insights into the next generation of Indian cricket. Easwaran’s leadership and the team’s ability to adapt to English pitches will be key to laying a strong foundation for India’s Test ambitions.
Sponsored
FACTS Transcripts
Apply for a University document anywhere
https://www.factstranscript.com
Quick Transcripts for popular Universities, check your University name now and get started. We help you to get your transcript application online which is accepted for use of IRCC.
No DD, NO Paperwork. 100% Authentic, Reliable.
FACTS Transcripts Charges · Reviews · Assam Universities · Home · Know your University
