India ‘A’ squad for England talking points: Abhimanyu Easwaran’s quest for debut, middle-order tussle between Karun and Sarfaraz

Given the batting transition that lies ahead in a new ICC World Test Championship cycle, India have named a strong ‘A’ squad for their two four-day fixtures against England Lions. Bengal opener, Abhimanyu Easwaran, who has been a regular member of the A teams, will lead the 18-member side as he sets sights on earning the elusive India cap. At least 10 from the India ‘A’ squad are expected to make it to the main Test contingent that will be announced soon, as India are keen on giving the players as much time as possible to acclimatise to the conditions before the five-match Test series begins on June 20. Shubman Gill and B Sai Sudharsan will join the team for the second match post their IPL commitments.

Having not played a Test match since the first week of January, India are scheduled to play the series in England in the early part of the summer when the pitches are still fresh and have lined-up three first-class fixtures before the first Test. The first two involve India A and England Lions before the intra-squad fixture that begins on June 13. With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma no longer part of the Test squad, the batting unit is set to be tested and hence the plan to give the young batsmen the time and fixtures to get into the red-ball mould.

Easwaran, who has been the designated reserve opener, now gets a strong chance to show his credentials before first Test in Leeds. With Sai Sudharsan breathing down his neck, Easwaran who has been a bench-warmer in recent times and even overlooked, knows any good performance would seal his spot in the XI. With Yashasvi Jaiswal being a certainty, if Easwaran starts the tour well, he has a strong chance either to partner the left-hander or bat at No 3 should India wish to promote KL Rahul to the top once more. Having grown up playing most of his cricket at Eden Gardens, which has traditionally rolled green tops in domestic circuit, Easwaran would back himself to overcome the English conditions.

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Middle-order tussle

The two India A fixtures will be of paramount importance to middle-order batsmen Karun Nair and Sarfaraz Khan. Karun, who has a Test triple-century to his name, is in line for a Test recall after his strong performances in the Ranji Trophy, where he helped Vidarbha emerge champions. Over the last season, the selectors have found Karun’s technique impressive, with the general opinion being that he belongs to the Test level again. Having played County cricket as well last year, the team management believes his experience would come in handy. Like Easwaran, if Karun manages to hit form early, he definitely stands a good chance of making a comeback.

But Karun knows it won’t be all that easy with Sarfaraz also in the mix. Despite starting his Test career on a promising note with one century and 3 fifties in six matches, he warmed the bench right through in Australia. Now, ahead of the England tour, there were even deliberations whether to send him with the A team or not, but he has managed to earn a spot after clearing a fitness test recently at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence. A consistent performer in the domestic circuit, he broke open the national team doors in 2024 before losing his spot to all-rounders Down Under.

With Nitish Kumar Reddy around this time as well and Washington Sundar also in the mix, Sarfaraz is in a spot where he has to prove his credentials once again. It is understood that, unlike the Australia series where India took the field with all-rounders, the same may not happen this time as the pitches are expected to be on the flatter side. If that’s the case, specialists would be sought and Sarfaraz will come into the picture as he can make merry against the old ball. At No 5 or 6, he should relish the challenge.

Pace attack

As reported previously by this newspaper, the A games will also help the selectors to have a look at Anshul Kamboj and Khaleel Ahmed. While India’s pace unit picks itself, with Harshit Rana and Akash Deep (part of A team) set to form the core alongside Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Shami, the team management wants another seamer as well. There are still concerns around Shami’s fitness and rotation being the key, India are keeping their options open around the inclusion of a pacer who could move the ball both ways. With movement not being Rana’s forte, Kamboj is seen as an outsider with a chance. The only concern right now is whether he can bowl consistently in the mid 130kmph, as he showed signs of slowing down due to excess workload in the domestic circuit.

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The two A matches before the intra-squad game has all the makings for a real-time audition for a spot in the Test XI.

India A squad: Abhimanyu Easwaran (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair, Dhruv Jurel (VC) (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Ishan Kishan (WK), Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan, Tushar Deshpande, Harsh Dubey.

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