In a recent update, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made notable changes to the India A squad for the upcoming second and third unofficial Tests against England Lions. Rinku Singh and Tilak Varma, who were part of the Indian T20I squad in the series against Afghanistan, have been included in the lineup, bringing a fresh dynamic to the team.
Rinku Singh, in particular, showcased his batting prowess in the final T20I against Afghanistan in Bengaluru, scoring a crucial 69 not out. His inclusion in the India A squad adds depth and experience to the team’s batting lineup. On the other hand, Tilak Varma, who played the first match against Afghanistan, had to make way for the returning Virat Kohli. However, he is set to join the India A squad for both the second and third unofficial Tests against England Lions.
The Uttar Pradesh batter Rinku Singh will be available only for the third unofficial Test, providing a boost to the team in the later stages of the series. In addition to Rinku and Tilak, Washington Sundar and Arshdeep Singh are also transitioning from the T20I squad to the India A side for the multi-day format against England Lions.
Abhimanyu Easwaran, the talented cricketer, will be leading the India A side in both the second and third unofficial Tests. The squad for the second multi-day match includes Abhimanyu Easwaran (Captain), Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Tilak Varma, Kumar Kushagra, Washington Sundar, Sourabh Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Tushar Deshpande, Vidwath Kaverappa, Upendra Yadav, Akash Deep, and Yash Dayal.
For the third multi-day match, the India A squad features Abhimanyu Easwaran (Captain), Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Kumar Kushagra, Washington Sundar, Shams Mulani, Arshdeep Singh, Tushar Deshpande, Vidwath Kaverappa, Upendra Yadav, Akash Deep, and Yash Dayal.
In the first unofficial Test between India A and England Lions, the visitors dominated with a commanding batting performance. England Lions declared at an impressive 553/8, with Keaton Jennings leading the charge with a notable score of 154. This set a solid foundation for the team and put India A under pressure in their response.
India A faced a challenging situation, and it was Rajat Patidar who stood out with a resilient innings, scoring 151 off 158 balls. Despite his outstanding effort, India A found themselves trailing significantly. The England Lions then set a tough target of 490 runs for India A to win the match.
In the closing stages of the match, India A faced a daunting task, ending the play on Friday with a score of 159 for four. The England Lions were closing in on a victory, highlighting the uphill battle that the Indian team faced in the first unofficial Test.
The upcoming second and third unofficial Tests will be crucial for India A as they look to bounce back from the challenging situation in the series. The inclusion of Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Washington Sundar, and Arshdeep Singh brings a fresh perspective to the team, and the leadership of Abhimanyu Easwaran will be instrumental in guiding the side to a strong comeback. Cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the performances of these promising players as they take on England Lions in the multi-day format, aiming to turn the tide in their favor.
In a recent update, BCCI has announced changes to the India A squad for the second and third unofficial Tests against England Lions. Rinku Singh and Tilak Varma, who recently featured in the Indian T20I squad, have been included. Rinku’s impressive T20I performance, scoring an unbeaten 69 against Afghanistan, earned him a spot. Tilak, who made way for Virat Kohli in the T20Is, is set to join for both Tests. Washington Sundar and Arshdeep Singh also transition from the T20I squad. Abhimanyu Easwaran continues to lead. The first unofficial Test saw England Lions dominate, setting India A a challenging target of 490 runs.