Punjab batsman Shubman Gill is set to lead the India ‘A’ side as they host their counterparts from New Zealand in a three-match four-day game series followed by three one-dayers if reports are to be believed.
It is said that Gill will be the skipper for both squads, which will consist of several players who did well in the recently concluded Ranji Trophy, which Madhya Pradesh won for the first time under coach Chandrakanth Pandit.
Pandit was also appointed as Kolkata Knight Riders coach after his hugely successful campaign with MP, as he replaces Brendon McCullum. The Kiwi legend did not have the best of tenures at the Knight Riders but is nevertheless doing quite well at his current position as England red-ball coach. England’s new aggressive approach to Test match cricket, christened ‘Bazball’ by fans and admirers, has given the Three Lions their fair share of success in the past few months.
Coming to the India ‘A’ squad, Mumbai spinner Shams Mulani is almost certain to get a call-up to the side after a stellar performance in the Ranji Trophy. He finished miles ahead of his competitors, topping the charts with 45 wickets in just six games at an excellent average of 16.75.
The player picked up six five-wicket hauls as Mumbai reached the final of the Ranji Trophy, where they lost to Madhya Pradesh. The left-arm spinner also impressed in the U25 CK Nayudu Trophy, picking up 29 wickets in three games as he spurred Mumbai to victory.
Apart from Mulani, his Mumbai teammates Sarfraz Khan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Indian team regular Shardul Thakur will make the cut for the New Zealand ‘A’ series. Opener and Mumbai skipper Prithvi Shaw, who also had a good showing in this year’s Ranji Trophy, is also set to be picked for both the four-day games as well as the one-dayers. Shaw will be hoping to do well against the New Zealanders as he tries to stage a comeback into the already ultra-competitive Indian senior squad.
Madhya Pradesh and Royal Challengers Bangalore batsman Rajat Patidar is also believed to be in the side for the New Zealand ‘A’ series, after a brilliant campaign in the Ranji Trophy following a breakthrough season in the IPL for the RCB.
He has been incredibly consistent in the last several months, announcing his arrival in the big leagues with an all-time great IPL knock in a high-pressure Eliminator game against the Lucknow Super Giants. Incidentally, he also became the first uncapped Indian to score a century in the IPL knockouts. Patidar continued his good performance into the Ranji Trophy as well, even getting a half-century in the final.
Patidar will also be accompanied in the team by fellow Madhya Pradesh cricketer Yash Dubey, who scored an excellent century in the Ranji Trophy final against Mumbai at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Mohammed Siraj, Hanuma Vihari, Washington Sundar, and KS Bharat are also likely going to be a part of the India ‘A’ side for the four-day games. Bengal all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed is also a name that is doing the rounds, as he is set to be in the four-day game squad as well.
Likely squad for 4-dayers
Shubman Gill (C), Yash Dubey, Hanuma Vihari, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Washington Sundar, KS Bharat, Shams Mulani, Jalaj Saxena, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubham Sharma, Akshay Wadkar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Manisankar Murasingh
Likely squad for one-day games
Shubman Gill (C) , Prithvi Shaw, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Hanuma Vihari, Ishan Kishan, Rishi Dhawan, Washington Sundar, Praveen Dubey, Mayank Markande, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, KS Bharat, Venkatesh Iyer, Pulkit Narang, Rahul Chahar, Yash Dayal
