The first match of the two-match unofficial Test series between India-A and Australia-A is to be played at Seachem Ground, Puducherry from 22nd September (Tuesday). The selectors will keep a special eye on Sai Sudarshan’s performance in this four-day first class match. Sudarshan, who is returning fit, will once again open the innings for India-A. His aim is not only to score runs but also to strengthen his claim as a reserve opener in the Test team for the New Zealand tour.
Sai Sudarshan has played seven Test matches for India so far and in these he has batted at number-3. However, during the Sri Lanka tour with India-A, he was given the responsibility of opening and he capitalized on this opportunity brilliantly. In the two first class matches against Sri Lanka A, he gave a strong indication of his batting ability by playing innings of 132 and 168 runs.
After the Sri Lanka tour, Sai Sudarshan was out of the Test series due to a leg fracture. To fully recover from the injury, he underwent about six weeks of rehabilitation at the Center of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. Now after regaining fitness, he has returned to the India-A team and against Australia-A he will be seen in the same role in which he made an impact against Sri Lanka-A.
Padikkal will play at number 3
Whereas, India-A captain Devdutt Padikkal will be seen playing at number three in this match. Padikkal has strengthened his position in the race for the number 3 position in the Test team. He had scored two centuries during the last series in Sri Lanka. For this reason Sudarshan is now being seen as the opening option.
For the upcoming Test series, India needs a reliable additional spinner along with a reserve opener. The performance of Saransh Jain, who played Test against Sri Lanka, was not as expected. Now the selectors will keep an eye on Mumbai’s experienced off-spinner Tanush Kotian against Australia-A. Pragyan Ojha, head of the interim selection committee, and his fellow selectors will closely watch the performance of those players in this match who can become a part of the Test team in the future.
India is preparing a backup team
The importance of this series between India-A and Australia-A is not limited to just one first class match. The Indian team is also preparing backup options for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. There should be strong options available in case of injury or fitness related problems in the long five-Test series, which is why India-A players are being tested in such matches. Apart from this, players are also being identified for India A’s tour of New Zealand.
Australia A team is also adorned with many players who are in the race for a place in the Test team. Players like Sam Constas, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy and Jhay Richardson will test themselves in Indian conditions. Peter Handscomb and Ashes winning fast bowler Brendan Doggett are also part of the team. Former Australian captain and coach Tim Paine has described playing in India as an important experience for these players. Especially it will be useful for them to be exposed to the heat, pitch conditions and the challenge of bowling at a different length than the red ball.
India A squad: Aman Mokhade, Ayush Pandey, Devdutt Padikkal (captain), Sai Sudarshan (vice-captain), Yash Rathore, Sheikh Rashid, Kumar Kushagra (wicketkeeper), Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Tushar Deshpande, Anshul Kamboj, Praful Hinge, Narayan Jagdishan (wicketkeeper), Nachiket Bhute and Tripurana Vijay.