On Tuesday, October 6, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the India A squad for the forthcoming multi-day tour against New Zealand A, commencing on October 24 in Lincoln.
While Dhruv Jurel will captain the side, as many as 11 Test players have been picked for the multi-day tour. KL Rahul, his opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Washington Sundar, Sai Sudharsan, and Manav Suthar are among the major names selected.
The first unofficial Test will be played in Lincoln from October 24 to 28, followed by the second in Christchurch from October 31 to November 3. The third and final match will be hosted in Lincoln from November 7 to 10.
Interestingly, the unofficial Test series and the three-match ODI series will overlap, which could make it difficult for ODI regulars Rahul, Jaiswal and Sundar to be a part of both squads. On the other hand, Rishabh Pant’s selection is subject to fitness.
Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj, Mukesh Kumar, and Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi form the pace battery. Meanwhile, Smaran Ravichandran, Vidarbha batter Yash Rathod, and left-arm seamer Mukesh Choudhary are three uncapped players in the squad.
India A squad vs New Zealand A: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Ravichandran Smaran, Rishabh Pant* (WK), Dhruv Jurel (C) (WK), Washington Sundar, Auqib Nabi, Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj, Manav Suthar, Mukesh Choudhary, Sai Sudharsan, Yash Rathod, Mukesh Kumar.
*Subject to fitness clearance
New Zealand A vs India A Multi-Day series schedule
October 24 to October 27 – First Multi-Day, Lincoln
October 31 to November 3 – Second Multi-Day, Christchurch
November 7 to November 10 – Third Multi-Day, Lincoln
