KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel have been added to India A's squad for the second first-class game against Australia A ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-2025. The second unofficial Test between India A and Australia A is slated to start from November 7 at the MCG, Melbourne.
KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel included in India A's squad for 2nd unofficial Test against Australia A
Before this, Prasidh Krishna was added to the Indian A's squad as a replacement for Yash Dayal, who has been selected for the T20I series against South Africa.
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KL Rahul is expected to open the batting alongside Abhimanyu Easwaran. This strategic change is in anticipation of Rohit Sharma's potential absence for the Perth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. To accommodate Rahul's opening position, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad will likely move down the batting order.
While the squad includes wicket-keeping options like Ishan Kishan and Abishek Porel, the recent inclusion of Jurel suggests that he will be the preferred wicket-keeper for the upcoming matches.
“The Men’s Selection Committee have added Mr KL Rahul and Mr Dhruv Jurel to the India A squad for the second first-class game against Australia A starting on Thursday at the MCG, Melbourne. Earlier, Mr Prasidh Krishna was added to the squad as a replacement for Yash Dayal, who was named in India’s T20I squad for the tour of South Africa,” the BCCI statement read.
India A squad for 2nd first-class game against Australia A:
Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Abhimanyu Easwaran (VC), Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Devdutt Padikkal, Ricky Bhui, Baba Indrajith, Ishan Kishan (WK), Abishek Porel (WK), Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Navdeep Saini, Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian, Prasidh Krishna, KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel (wk)
KL Rahul might be seen opening with Abhimanyu Easwaran for India A
According to reports, KL Rahul is likely to open the innings alongside Abhimanyu Easwaran for India A in the upcoming unofficial Test against Australia A in Melbourne. With Rohit Sharma's potential absence from the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Rahul and Easwaran's performance in the India A match could determine their roles in the Test series. If Rahul opens, Ruturaj Gaikwad, who opened in the first unofficial Test, might be shifted to the middle order. The first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is scheduled to begin on November 22 in Perth. Rohit Sharma's unavailability for the match due to personal reasons has been speculated in recent reports.
Following India's 0-3 series loss to New Zealand, Rohit Sharma addressed reports about his potential absence from the first Test against Australia. During the post-match press conference, he was asked to comment on these speculations to which he said:
Following India's 0-3 series loss to New Zealand, Rohit Sharma addressed reports about his potential absence from the first Test against Australia. During the post-match press conference, he was asked to comment on these speculations.
. “I am not too sure about Perth. But fingers crossed,” he responded about the November 22-27 fixture.
