India 'A' Squad Announced for England Tour: Surprising Selections and Exclusions

India 'A' Team Set for England Tour

Abhimanyu Easwaran has been appointed as the captain of the India 'A' team for an upcoming tour to England, commencing on May 30. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed the squad on May 16, featuring several anticipated selections alongside a few unexpected ones. Notably, players like Shardul Thakur and Karun Nair, who have shown impressive form this domestic season, have earned their spots.

However, it's unfortunate that some players from the previous squad were not retained. Abhishek Porel, Ricky Bhui, Yash Dayal, Baba Indrajith, and Navdeep Saini have all been dropped. Devdutt Padikkal, who was also in contention, missed out due to injury. The exclusion of Shreyas Iyer and Arshdeep Singh has sparked considerable debate among fans and analysts alike.

Controversy Surrounding Shreyas Iyer's Exclusion

The inclusion of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill in the 'A' tour has proven to be a strategic decision, allowing regular players to gain more match experience. However, the omission of Shreyas Iyer raises eyebrows. Despite previous reports hinting at such a decision, it seems unjust given Iyer's consistent performance. He was the leading run-scorer in the ODI World Cup 2023, yet the BCCI's decision to drop him amid IPL controversies has left many puzzled.

Iyer's remarkable domestic season, including 480 runs in the Ranji Trophy at an average of 68.5 and a stellar performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, makes his exclusion even more perplexing. His recent success in the Champions Trophy and IPL 2025 further emphasizes the oddity of this selection.

Arshdeep Singh's Absence Raises Questions

Another notable omission is Arshdeep Singh, who has been impressive with his left-arm swing bowling and has gained valuable experience in County Cricket. Instead of selecting him, the selectors opted for Khaleel Ahmed and Tushar Deshpande, leaving many to question the rationale behind these choices.

Unusual Vice-Captaincy Decision

The selection of Ruturaj Gaikwad as vice-captain has also drawn criticism. Despite his limited impact in IPL 2025 due to injury, he has suddenly found a place in the squad. With several openers already in the lineup, his role remains unclear. Additionally, naming Dhruv Jurel as vice-captain over Yashasvi Jaiswal seems questionable, as Jaiswal's potential as a future leader could have been nurtured through this opportunity.

Complete India A Squad for the England Tour

Batters:
Abhimanyu Easwaran (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair, Dhruv Jurel (VC) (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan

All-rounders:
Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Harsh Dubey

Bowlers:
Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, Tushar Deshpande
Shubman Gill* and Sai Sudharsan* will join the squad ahead of the second match.