In an exciting development for Indian cricket, Ruturaj Gaikwad has been appointed as the captain of the India A team for their upcoming tour to Australia. This tour will feature two first-class games against Australia A, with the matches scheduled to take place in Mackay and Melbourne. Following these encounters, the team will engage in a crucial three-day intra-squad practice match against the senior India men’s team. This intra-squad match will be held at the iconic WACA in Perth, providing a rich platform for honing player skills and testing combinations ahead of future international assignments.
Ruturaj Gaikwad, a promising young talent rising through the ranks of Indian cricket, has been handed the captaincy mantle based on his recent exemplary performances. His leadership capabilities were on display last month when he captained India C in the Duleep Trophy. Under his guidance, India C finished second on the four-team points table, demonstrating strategic prowess and resilience. Gaikwad’s form with the bat has also been impressive. In the ongoing Ranji Trophy season, he has scored 231 runs in two games, which includes a significant knock of 145 against a formidable Mumbai team.
Sharing leadership responsibilities with Gaikwad will be Abhimanyu Easwaran, who has been named vice-captain of the squad. Easwaran, known for his calm demeanor and solid technique, led India B to third place in the Duleep Trophy. He clinched the spotlight by scoring a couple of centuries in the tournament, underscoring his ability to perform under pressure. Both Easwaran and Gaikwad, along with the talented Sai Sudharsan, are crucial options as backup openers for India’s series engagements, including the vital five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy, should the need arise.
The squad also welcomes Andhra’s Ricky Bhui, the leading run-scorer from both the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy season and the 2024 Duleep Trophy.
. His inclusion comes as a reward for consistent performances, which have caught the selectors’ undivided attention. Joining him is Tamil Nadu’s Baba Indrajith, who amassed 767 runs in the Ranji Trophy campaign, marking his batting prowess and offering another strategic option in the middle order. Another exciting batsman, Devdutt Padikkal, also makes the squad, providing depth to the batting lineup.
The wicketkeeping gloves will be shared between Ishan Kishan and Abishek Porel, both offering flair and dexterity behind the stumps. Kishan, known for his explosive batting in the limited-overs format, will aim to translate that aggression into red-ball cricket, while Porel’s technical competence lends balance to the squad.
The pace bowling attack presents a blend of experience and youthful exuberance. It comprises Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Yash Dayal, and Navdeep Saini, each capable of making inroads with their diverse skill sets. They will be complemented by Nitish Kumar Reddy, who made his mark recently by debuting for India in Gwalior. Adding to the bowling resources is Mumbai’s Tanush Kotian, who turned heads with his performances in the Duleep Trophy, making him a valuable asset for the team going forward.
The itinerary for the tour is as follows: the first of the two first-class games will take place from October 31 to November 3 at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. The action then moves to the world-renowned Melbourne Cricket Ground, where the second first-class game is scheduled from November 7 to November 10. Finally, the squad will transition to Perth for the intra-squad match, spanning from November 15 to November 17 at the WACA.
This selection sets the stage for India A to showcase its talent in challenging overseas conditions, offering upcoming cricketers a vital experience and a chance to stake their claim for future selections in the national team. The tour promises to be an intriguing chapter in nurturing the bench strength of Indian cricket and will be keenly watched by enthusiasts and selectors alike.