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Ahead of India's crucial tour of England in June, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is taking proactive steps to apparently end the superstar culture in Indian cricket. Several key players from the Indian Test team are expected to participate in the India A squad that will compete against the England Lions in two four-day unofficial Test matches. These preparatory fixtures are scheduled for the May-June window, specifically designed to provide valuable match practice leading up to the five-match Test series against England.
The senior Indian team's campaign on English soil will start on June 20 with the first Test at Headingley. In the lead-up to series, which will also mark the beginning of the 2025/27 World Test Championship cycle, the India A team is slated to play two tour matches.
The first unofficial Test between India A and England Lions will be played from May 30, just a few days after the conclusion of the IPL 2025 season. While the second four-day encounter is scheduled to begin on June 6 at the County Ground in Northampton. This match will serve as the final opportunity for the Indian team to fine-tune their preparations before the commencement of the Test series against England.
"The first four-day match will be hosted at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence in Canterbury from May 30. The second match is scheduled to begin a week later on June 6 at the County Ground in Northampton," the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said in a statement.
Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma to feature in India A's unofficial Tests vs England Lions?
Meanwhile, as per a PTI report, several senior Test players are expected to feature in the India A team for these preparatory tour games. This development could potentially create some pressure on these players, as they are currently contracted with their respective IPL franchises. The playoffs for the IPL 2025 season are scheduled to take place on May 20, 21, and 23, culminating in the final on May 25.
Notably, prominent batsmen like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma might be asked to participate for India A, particularly in light of their recent struggles in red-ball cricket. India Rohit Sharma, managed to amass just 164 runs in the three Test series the team has played since September, including a disappointing 31 runs during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia. Similarly, Virat Kohli averaged just 23.75 in the Test series against Australia, despite scoring a century in the opening match in Perth.
Karun Nair to be included in India A squad
The PTI report further suggested that Karun Nair could be in line for inclusion in the India A squad for the two matches against the England Lions. The seasoned Indian batsman recently concluded an outstanding domestic season, where he emerged as the highest run-scorer in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. His impressive form continued in the Ranji Trophy, where he was the fourth-highest run-getter, amassing 863 runs in nine matches at an average of 54, including four centuries and two half-centuries.
“There is enough time to announce the squad, mostly ahead of the knockouts or just after those matches. You will then get a clear picture as to which players are available by then,” a source privy to the development told PTI.
Notably, head coach Gautam Gambhir is expected to accompany the India A squad on their tour, where he will be closely observing the players' performances. This evaluation will be crucial in determining which individuals will be promoted to the main Indian Test team. Despite recent underwhelming performances both with the bat and as captain in the previous two Test series against New Zealand and Australia, Rohit Sharma is set to continue leading the national side.
