After missing out on selection for the upcoming Asia Cup, Shreyas Iyer has been handed the captaincy of the India A squad for the two multi-day matches against Australia A, scheduled in Lucknow from September 16. The Mumbai batter will lead a side that features several recent Test players, including Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel, and Prasidh Krishna. In India A’s previous assignment in England, Abhimanyu Easwaran had led the team.
India A squad: Shreyas Iyer (C), Abhimanyu Easwaran, N Jagadeesan (WK), Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel (VC & WK), Devdutt Padikkal, Harsh Dubey, Ayush Badoni, Nitish Reddy, Tanush Kotian, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Khaleel Ahmed, Manav Suthar, Yash Thakur
As reported by Cricbuzz earlier, Iyer has been entrusted with a central role in the two ‘A’ matches. Dhruv Jurel, who represented India A in England and made his Test debut at The Oval, has been named vice-captain. Promising domestic performers such as Manav Suthar and Harsh Dubey have been rewarded with call-ups. Ayush Badoni, in fine form during the ongoing Duleep Trophy, also finds a place, along with N Jagadeesan, who impressed with a 197 against North Zone ahead of the semifinals.
Meanwhile, KL Rahul and Mohammed Siraj, who are not part of the Asia Cup squad, will join the India A squad for the second fixture against Australia A starting September 23, replacing two players from the initial group. This will serve as preparation for the upcoming home Test series against West Indies, beginning October 2.
After the two multi-day matches, India A and Australia A will also contest a three-match one-day series in Kanpur on September 30, October 3, and October 5.
