In a strategic move, seasoned cricketers Ravichandran Ashwin and Ajinkya Rahane are slated to join the early dispatch to the Proteas nation for match fitment ahead of a pivotal Test series. The Indian contingent will face the host nation, South Africa, in a two-match Test series, a part of the World Test Championship cycle for the years 2023-25. The series, set to unfold on South African soil in December and January, will now see preparations bolstered by a series of first-class games featuring the Indian ‘A’ team against South Africa ‘A’.
These preparatory matches, traditionally organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) prior to international tours, aim to acclimatize the players to foreign conditions. However, the practice was set aside post the Bangladesh tour, as the board’s focus shifted to the One Day International World Cup.
A BCCI insider revealed to PTI that three first-class games are scheduled to take place in the upcoming month. “Yes, there are three four-day Tests between India ‘A’ and South Africa ‘A’ next month. The team for that will be announced in some days. Most of the consistent young performers along with those (seniors) who need some game time before the two Test matches in Centurion (December 26 to 30) and Cape Town (January 3-7) will be there,” disclosed the source.
The lineup for these tour games is expected to include emerging talents such as Abhimanyu Easwaran, B Sai Sudharsan, Yash Dhull, Kona Bharat, Upendra Yadav and Saurabh Kumar. There is a palpable anticipation among cricket enthusiasts to determine whether veterans like Ashwin, Rahane and Jaydev Unadkat will grace at least one of these preparatory matches with their presence.
Moreover, the BCCI is eyeing the organization of five to six first-class games for the Indian ‘A’ team within the frame of December to January. The Men in Blue, India’s national cricket team, have a packed schedule with seven Test matches within the next four months – two of which are set against South Africa as away games, followed by a home series comprising five matches against England.
The itinerary includes three first-class matches prior to the tour of South Africa, and another two to three matches in the lead-up to the series with England, possibly against the England Lions, the ‘A’ team of England.
As the cricket fraternity gears up for these encounters, the Test matches not only stand to fortify the team’s international standing but also act as a harbinger for the young blood to prove their mettle on the Test cricket stage. These games provide not just exposure but also critical match practice, beneficial for those aiming to secure or retain their positions in the national team.
The selections for these preparatory games are seen as integral markers, given the tightly knit schedule and the high stakes involved in the forthcoming Test series. With seasoned players like Ashwin and Rahane possibly joining the ranks of these games, this tour will undoubtedly set a profound stage for both the individual players looking to embellish their careers and for Team India as it braces against the formidable South African team on their home turf.
The decision to include experienced players in ‘A’ games reflects a blend of strategy and foresight by the Indian cricket authorities, reinforcing the notion that experienced players require competitive game time alongside budding talents to deliver optimal performance in high-stakes matches. As eagerness for these matches mounts, the cricket world keenly awaits the official announcements and the performances that will emerge from these pre-series preparations.