CSK star to lead India A, battle for back-up opener's spot, Ishan Kishan set for red-ball return: All you need to know about A tour of Australia

Madhya Pradesh captain Ruturaj Gaikwad is set to lead India A on tour of Australia starting later this month. The A series will be crucial as a few players may stay back in Australia as back-ups or net bowlers for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

Battle for opening spot

There will be an internal battle for the back-up opener as Rohit Sharma is expected to miss the Perth Test due to personal reasons. As per a report by ESPNCricinfo, Abhimanyu Easwaran and Sai Sudharsan are two strong contenders for the role. Easwaran scored a century in Irani Cup and carried forward his form in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 with an unbeaten 127 for Bengal agianst Uttar Pradesh. On the other hand, Sudharsan had a good County season for Surrey. The young left-handed opener then cracked a double century for Tamil Nadu against Delhi in the ongoing match.

Kishan’s return

The tour will also mark a comeback for Ishan Kishan who scored a century for Jharkhand against Railways. The wicketkeeper-batter is yet to make his international comeback after taking a break from international cricket during South Africa tour. 

Pacers’ Test

In the pre-match press conference, skipper Rohit Sharma talked about having back-ups for pacers. He named Nitish Reddy and Mayank Yadav as players who can be fastracked. However, Yadav who returned from injury may not be ready for red-ball cricket yet. Reddy is one all-rounder, the selectors will be looking at closely. Since Hardik Pandya’s back injury, India don’t have a fast-bowling all-rounder for red-ball cricket. 

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The other pacers are Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed and Yash Dayal. Saini was part of the Iconic Gabba Test win but is yet to find his place back in the side. Mukesh lost his place to Akash Deep in the side whereas Dayal could not make his debut after maiden call-up for Bangladesh series. Another left-arm pacer, Khaleel has played limited-overs cricket for India but yet to get a place in the Test squad.

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The two-match series will begin on October 31 at Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay. The second match will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) starting November 7.

India A’s likely squad for tour of Australia

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan, B Indrajith, Abishek Porel (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Mukesh Kumar, Ricky Bhui, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Manav Suthar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed, Tanush Kotian, Yash Dayal.

Australia A squad for India A

Nathan McSweeney (c), Cameron Bancroft, Scott Boland, Jordan Buckingham, Cooper Connolly, Ollie Davies, Marcus Harris, Sam Konstas, Nathan McAndrew, Michael Neser, Todd Murphy, Fergus O'Neill, Jimmy Peirson (wk), Josh Philippe (wk), Corey Rocchiccioli, Mark Steketee, Beau Webster