India A Begins Tour with Unofficial Test Against England Lions
India A Kicks Off Tour
Today, May 30, India A embarks on their tour of England, starting with the first unofficial Test against the England Lions. The squad features notable Indian Test players Yashasvi Jaiswal and Nitish Kumar Reddy, who are gearing up for the main five-Test series in England, commencing on June 20.
Key Players and Leadership
While Jaiswal and Nitish are the standout players, several others are vying for Test selection in this two-match series against the England Lions. Abhimanyu Easwaran from Bengal will lead the team, supported by emerging talents like Dhruv Jurel, Karun Nair, Akash Deep, and Shardul Thakur.
Significance for Returning Players
This tour is particularly important for Shardul Thakur and Karun Nair, who have recently rejoined the Indian team setup. Following impressive domestic performances and strong showings in the Indian Premier League, expectations are high for these players as India transitions after the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
England Lions' Concerns
On the England side, there are worries regarding the fitness of Jordan Cox, who was sidelined from the recent one-off Test against Zimbabwe due to an abdominal injury.
England Lions Squad Overview
The England Lions will be captained by 21-year-old James Rew, who has had a stellar season in the County Championship with an average of 55. The squad also includes established players like spinner Rehan Ahmed and all-rounder Chris Woakes, whose early performances will be vital as England prepares for the upcoming series.
Squads for the Match
India A: Abhimanyu Easwaran (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair, Dhruv Jurel (VC) (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Ishan Kishan (WK), Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan, Tushar Deshpande, Harsh Dubey.
England Lions: James Rew (C), Farhan Ahmed, Rehan Ahmed, Sonny Baker, Jordan Cox, Rocky Flintoff, Emilio Gay, Tom Haines, George Hill, Josh Hull, Eddie Jack, Ben McKinney, Dan Mousley, Ajeet Singh Dale, Chris Woakes, Max Holden.
Match Details
The first unofficial Test between the England Lions and India A is scheduled from May 30 to June 2 at the Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence in Canterbury.
Live Streaming Information
Fans can watch the England Lions vs India A 1st unofficial Test live on the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) website and app. Unfortunately, there will be no live telecast available in India.
Match Timing
The match is set to commence at 11 AM local time, which corresponds to 3:30 PM IST.