Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Sept 6: Right-handed batter Shreyas Iyer has been named captain of a strong India A squad set to take on Australia A in two multi-day matches starting September 16. The first game will be held at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, with the second scheduled to begin on September 23.
Iyer, currently representing West Zone in the Duleep Trophy semi-final, was not selected for India’s squad for the upcoming Men’s T20 Asia Cup in the UAE starting September 9. His inclusion as captain of India A marks an important opportunity to return to red-ball form.
Key Names in the Squad
The India A squad features a mix of experienced domestic performers and promising newcomers. Notable players include:
• Nitish Kumar Reddy, returning after recovering from a left knee ligament injury sustained during gym training ahead of the fourth Test vs England.
• Abhimanyu Easwaran, N Jagadeesan, Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel, Prasidh Krishna, Khaleel Ahmed, and Devdutt Padikkal.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also announced that senior players KL Rahul and Mohammed Siraj will be added to the squad for the second multi-day match, replacing two unnamed players from the current list.
First-Time Call-Ups
Among the 15-member squad, Ayush Badoni, Gurnoor Brar, and Yash Thakur have received their first-ever India A call-ups, signaling BCCI’s intent to expand the talent pipeline for red-ball cricket.
Other players like Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, and Manav Suthar have previously featured in the India A setup and continue to remain in the selectors’ plans.
Upcoming Fixtures
After the conclusion of the multi-day games, India A and Australia A will square off in three one-day matches scheduled to be held at Green Park Stadium in Kanpur on:
• September 30
• October 3
• October 5
These matches will provide further opportunities for young talent to push for selection into the senior Indian team across formats.
India A Squad for Multi-Day Games vs Australia A:
• Shreyas Iyer (Captain)
• Abhimanyu Easwaran
• N Jagadeesan (WK)
• Sai Sudharsan
• Dhruv Jurel (Vice-Captain & WK)
• Devdutt Padikkal
• Harsh Dubey
• Ayush Badoni
• Nitish Kumar Reddy
• Tanush Kotian
• Prasidh Krishna
• Gurnoor Brar
• Khaleel Ahmed
• Manav Suthar
• Yash Thakur
To be added for the second match:
• KL Rahul
• Mohammed Siraj
With this high-stakes series on home soil, selectors and fans alike will be watching closely as India A tests its bench strength against a strong Australia A side.