Some of India’s top players might be included in the ‘A’ squad set to take on the Lions in two four-day matches from late May to early June. This is all part of their prep for the five-match Test series against England. India kicks off their 45-day trip with the first Test at Headingley on June 20, aiming to win their first series in England since 2007.
The first four-day match will be at The Spitfire Ground in Canterbury starting May 30, with the second match scheduled for June 6 at the County Ground in Northampton, according to the ECB. Right now, the key Indian players are focused on the IPL, with the knockout rounds set for May 20, 21, and 23, ending with the final on May 25. This gives the selectors some time to announce the India A squad before they fly to England, and Karun Nair is likely to make the trip.
Karun has been on fire this season, leading the runs in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and ranking fourth in the Ranji Trophy with 863 runs in nine matches, averaging 54 with four centuries and two fifties. His good form helped Vidarbha win their third Ranji title by beating Kerala.
A decision on the squad will come soon, probably before or right after the IPL knockouts. By then, we’ll know who’s available, a source said to PTI. Rohit Sharma is expected to captain the senior team in England, even after facing some tough matches and two Test series losses against New Zealand and Australia. The team is also keeping an eye on Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness as he recovers from a back injury he picked up while in Australia, meaning he won’t be part of the early IPL matches for the Mumbai Indians.
