Big News: BCCI announces Virat-Rohit-less India A squad for One-Day series against South Africa A, MI star appointed captain; Gaikwad returns

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has revealed the India A squad for the unofficial three-match one-day series against South Africa. Both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma remained absent from the India A's squad as they will directly play the ODI series against the Proteas side. Notably, Tilak Varma will be seen leading the India A pack with Ruturaj Gaikwad being his deputy.

Tilak Varma to lead India A squad for one-day series vs South Africa A

The three-match white-ball series between India A and South Africa A will be played from November 13 to November 19 at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. The Rajkot matches are strategically positioned as the direct lead-up to the senior men’s international ODI series against the South African national team. This main series is set to take place shortly thereafter, running from November 30 to December 6.

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The India A squad features several prominent young talents and white-ball specialists. Headlining the batting lineup is the current World No. 1 T20I batter, Abhishek Sharma, alongside wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan and Riyan Parag. The fast bowling attack is also well-stocked, featuring pacers Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, and Prasidh Krishna, all looking to make an impression and push their case for senior selection.

RO-KO's absence

Meanwhile, the selection committee ultimately decided against including senior batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, despite initial speculation that the two modern greats might feature in the 'A' games to gain additional match time. Although speculations were rife surrounding their potential participation, the senior selection committee moved forward with a strategy that excludes them. It has not been clarified by the BCCI whether the selectors communicated directly with Rohit and Kohli regarding the possibility of them playing in the India A series before the main ODI fixtures against South Africa commence.

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India A’s squad for one-day series against South Africa A:

Tilak Varma (C), Ruturaj Gaikwad (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, Ishan Kishan (WK), Ayush Badoni, Nishant Sindhu, Vipraj Nigam, Manav Suthar, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Khaleel Ahmed, Prabhsimran Singh (WK)