BCCI unveils India A squad for ODIs against South Africa A; Tilak Varma to lead

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the India A squad for the upcoming three-match unofficial One-Day International (ODI) series against South Africa A, scheduled to take place in Rajkot. The squad features a blend of exciting youth talent and fringe white-ball regulars, setting the stage for a crucial audition before the senior India versus South Africa ODI series, starting later this month.

The selection committee has entrusted the captaincy to young batting sensation Tilak Varma, with Chennai Super Kings star Ruturaj Gaikwad named as his deputy. The decision to appoint Tilak as captain is a clear indication of the selectors’ plan to invest in the 22-year-old as a future leader.

Tilak, who is currently part of the senior T20I setup, will be keen to demonstrate his leadership acumen in the 50-over format. His rapid rise through the ranks, following consistent performances in the IPL and for the national team, makes him a deserving candidate for this role. Similarly Ruturaj, who has previous leadership experience, will serve as Tilak’s vice-captain, providing stability and an experienced voice in the dressing room.

The 14-member squad sees the inclusion of several white-ball specialists looking to stake a claim for a permanent spot in the national team. Ishan Kishan has been included, and his performance will be closely watched. Competing with the equally explosive Prabhsimran Singh for the wicketkeeping duties, Kishan will see this series as a perfect platform to impress the selectors.

The bowling unit is formidable, featuring the likes of Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, and Khaleel Ahmed. Their ability to deliver in the middle and death overs will be vital, particularly for Prasidh Krishna, who was recently excluded from the senior Test squad to get more white-ball match practice.

The team is packed with highly-rated young talent, including the dynamic all-rounder Riyan Parag (named Player of the Series in the previous Australia A series), Abhishek Sharma, Ayush Badoni, and spin all-rounder Nishant Sindhu. This series offers them a golden opportunity to push for selection in the senior ODI team, especially with a potential No. 4 batting spot up for grabs.

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The biggest talking point following the squad announcement is the non-inclusion of star players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. There was speculation that the senior duo might use the unofficial ODIs to gain match practice, especially since they exclusively play the ODI format internationally. However, the selection committee has opted to give them a complete rest after their recent engagement in the ODI series against Australia. Both veterans are expected to return directly for the senior team’s ODI series against South Africa beginning on November 30.

India A squad for one-day series: Tilak Varma (c), Ruturaj Gaikwad (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, Ishan Kishan (wk), Ayush Badoni, Nishant Sindhu, Vipraj Nigam, Manav Suthar, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Khaleel Ahmed, Prabhsimran Singh (wk)

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