Delhi: A strong 15-member India 'A' team has been announced for the 3-match 'A' series (four-day matches) to be held on the New Zealand tour. Dhruv Jurel will be seen captaining the team on this tour. The selectors have kept an excellent mix of youth as well as senior and test specialist players in this squad.
Keeping in mind the race for the final of the World Test Championship (WTC), head coach Gautam Gambhir has his eyes fixed on this 'A' series.
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Dhruv Jurel will take over the captaincy
The command of the team has been handed over to young wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel. This squad includes many regular Test players like KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudarshan and Manav Suthar.
Star wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant has also got a place in the 15-member squad, although his playing will depend on fitness clearance. Apart from this, all-rounder Washington Sundar, who was recently dropped from the T20I series against West Indies, has also been included in the team for this red ball series.
Showed strength in fast bowling
The Indian fast bowling attack has been made much stronger. Bengal's star pacers Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar have been given the responsibility of pace attack. Akash Deep took 6 wickets in the recently concluded Irani Cup, while Mukesh Kumar took 8 wickets in the victory over Rest of India.
It is believed that Gautam Gambhir wants to keep these two fast bowlers fully prepared for the main Test series against New Zealand. Apart from these, Aaqib Nabi, Anshul Kamboj and left arm fast bowler Mukesh Chaudhary have also been included in the fast bowling team.
India A's full squad:
Dhruv Jurel (captain and wicketkeeper), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudarshan, R Smaran, Yash Rathore, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper – depending on fitness), Washington Sundar, Manav Suthar, Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar, Aaqib Nabi, Anshul Kamboj and Mukesh Chaudhary.
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India A vs New Zealand A series schedule
This four-day series of 3 matches will start from October 27:
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First match: October 27 (Lincoln)
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Second match: 3 November (Christchurch)
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Third match: November 10 (Lincoln)
After this, the first official Test match between India and New Zealand will be played from November 19 at the Basin Reserve ground in Wellington.
FAQ
Who is the captain of India A team against New Zealand A?
India A will be captained by wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel in the four-day three-match series against New Zealand A.
When will the four-day matches between India A and New Zealand A be played?
The first match will be played in Lincoln on 27 October, the second in Christchurch on 3 November and the third in Lincoln on 10 November.