KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant named in 15-member India A squad for New Zealand A Tests

KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant have been named in a 15-member India A squad for a three-match unofficial Test series against New Zealand A in New Zealand starting October 24. As many as 11 players with Test experience have been included in the touring party.

The squad features senior team vice-captain KL Rahul alongside his opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal and Devdutt Padikkal. All-rounder Washington Sundar, wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel, Sai Sudharsan and Manav Suthar are also part of the group. The BCCI has not specified how many of the three India A matches Rahul, Jaiswal and Washington will play. Rishabh Pant's selection is subject to fitness, and he is expected to be part of India's plans for the two Tests against New Zealand in the World Test Championship. Dhruv Jurel has been named captain of the India A side and will serve as Pant's understudy.

The three unofficial Tests are scheduled in Lincoln from October 24 to 28, in Christchurch from October 31 to November 3, and again in Lincoln from November 7 to 10. India's three-match ODI series against New Zealand begins on November 4, with the second and third ODIs on November 7 and 10. That overlap makes it difficult for Rahul, Jaiswal and Washington to feature in all three India A matches while also being available for the senior ODI side.

Sai Sudharsan is listed as a player expected to be in contention for the senior Test squad, and Manav Suthar is included among spin options. The India A squad includes three other former Test players: pacers Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj and Mukesh Kumar. Akash Deep is expected to be part of India's Test squad, and the A series is intended to give him valuable match practice ahead of the senior team's upcoming assignments. Mukesh Kumar returns to national reckoning after an impressive spell in the Irani Cup final.

Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi's inclusion raises the number of players in the group with international caps to 12. The three uncapped players named are prolific domestic batter Smaran Ravichandran, Vidarbha batter Yash Rathod and left-arm seamer Mukesh Choudhary. INDIA A SQUAD: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Ravichandran Smaran, Rishabh Pant* (WK), Dhruv Jurel (C) (WK), Washington Sundar, Auqib Nabi, Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj, Manav Suthar, Mukesh Choudhary, Sai Sudharsan, Yash Rathod, Mukesh Kumar.

India A will begin the three-match unofficial Test series in Lincoln on October 24 under the captaincy of Dhruv Jurel.