In a recent development, Bengal veteran Abhimanyu Easwaran has been appointed captain of the India A squad for the upcoming four-day match against the visiting England Lions. The squad, consisting of 13 members, will also engage in a two-day warm-up match in Ahmedabad on January 12-13, leading up to the main fixture at the Narendra Modi Stadium from January 17-20.
Easwaran, who featured in only one game during the recent South Africa tour, managing 18 runs, now takes on the leadership role for the series against England Lions. The decision comes after KS Bharat led the team in South Africa, where both unofficial Test matches ended in draws. Bharat, the wicketkeeper-batsman, will continue to be a crucial part of the squad.
One of the players to watch out for in the upcoming series is Pradosh Ranjan Paul, who emerged as the highest run-scorer for India A in South Africa. Paul notched up an impressive 163 runs in the opening unofficial Test, showcasing his batting prowess and earning a spot in the squad for the England Lions series.
The India A squad also includes promising talents like Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, and Navdeep Saini, who will be key contributors in the team’s quest for success. The balance of experience and youth in the squad reflects the selectors’ focus on nurturing talent for the future.
The two-day warm-up match preceding the main fixture will serve as a crucial preparation opportunity for the players, allowing them to acclimatize to the conditions and fine-tune their skills.
As the cricketing fraternity eagerly anticipates this clash between India A and England Lions, all eyes will be on the leadership of Abhimanyu Easwaran and the performance of players like Pradosh Ranjan Paul, as they aim to make a mark in this significant encounter.
