India A has bolstered its squad by adding Tilak Varma and Rinku Singh for the second and third unofficial Tests against the England Lions, scheduled to begin on January 24. Both players are transitioning from their recent involvement in the T20I series against Afghanistan, bringing fresh energy and form into the longer format of the game.
Rinku Singh, particularly, has been in the spotlight following his outstanding performance in the T20I series. His unbeaten 69 in the final T20I against Afghanistan in Bengaluru showcased his batting prowess and ability to handle pressure, making him a valuable asset for the India A team. Tilak Varma, who played in the first match against Afghanistan, made way for Virat Kohli in the subsequent games but remains a promising talent for the upcoming tests.
The addition of these two players strengthens the India A lineup, especially as Rinku will only be available for the third unofficial Test, while Tilak has been included for both matches. This change is part of a strategic move to enhance the team's batting depth and versatility.
Joining Rinku and Tilak are Washington Sundar and Arshdeep Singh, who transition from the T20I squad to the longer format. They will be under the leadership of Abhimanyu Easwaran, who is set to captain India A in both matches.
India A squad for the 2nd Test: Abhimanyu Easwaran (Captain), Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Tilak Varma, Kumar Kushagra, Washington Sundar, Sourabh Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Tushar Deshpande, Vidwath Kaverappa, Upendra Yadav, Akash Deep, Yash Dayal.
India A squad for the 3rd Test: Abhimanyu Easwaran (Captain), Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Kumar Kushagra, Washington Sundar, Shams Mulani, Arshdeep Singh, Tushar Deshpande, Vidwath Kaverappa, Upendra Yadav, Akash Deep, Yash Dayal.
The first unofficial Test saw the England Lions dominate with a strong batting display, declaring at an imposing 553/8. Keaton Jennings' impressive 154 laid a solid foundation for the Lions. In response, India A struggled, with Rajat Patidar's valiant 151 off 158 balls being a standout performance. Despite his efforts, India A faced a substantial deficit, and the England Lions set a challenging target of 490 runs for victory.
As the match progressed, India A ended the play on Friday at 159 for four, facing an uphill battle against the England Lions. The addition of Tilak and Rinku is expected to bring more resilience and depth to the India A batting lineup, enhancing their chances in the upcoming contests.
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