India’s middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer has been appointed captain of the A team which will play against Australia A in the two unofficial Tests at home. While Hrishikesh Kanitkar is the head coach of the team, former India left-arm spinner Sunil Joshi has been appointed spin-bowling coach. Also, Mumbai's current assistant coach Atul Ranade has been given the role of fielding coach.
“Joshi and Ranade have been appointed just for the Australia A series,” a source told TOI.
Joshi is also Punjab Kings’ spin-bowling coach. He is a former chief selector of India's senior men's team as well.
Sunil Doshi’s career
The Karnataka-born bowler has played 15 Tests and 69 ODIs. He has 41 wickets in Tests at an average of 35.85, including a five-wicket haul. His highest Test score is 92. In 69 ODIs, he has 69 wickets at an average of 36.36, including a five-wicket haul. He has 584 runs from 45 ODI innings, including one fifty. He has represented Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the inaugural edition as well.
Ranade’s domestic career
Ranade is a former Mumbai and Goan cricketer. He represented the state in six first-class and five List A games. He has 16 wickets and 203 runs to his name in domestic cricket.
The series will begin on September 16. Both matches will be played in Lucknow.
India A squad
Shreyas Iyer (capt), Abhimanyu Easwaran, N Jagadeesan (wk), Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel (vice-capt, wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Harsh Dubey, Ayush Badoni, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Tanush Kotian, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Khaleel Ahmed, Manav Suthar, Yash Thakur.
KL Rahul and Mohammed Siraj for second match.
Australia A squad
Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Jack Edwards, Aaron Hardie, Campbell Kellaway, Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, Lance Morris, Todd Murphy, Fergus O'Neill, Oliver Peake, Josh Philippe, Corey Rocchiccioli, Liam Scott.