Tilak Varma has been appointed captain of India A for the upcoming one-day series against South Africa A, scheduled at Rajkot's Niranjan Shah Stadium on November 13, 16, and 19. The squad will not include senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Ruturaj Gaikwad returns as vice-captain, with Ishan Kishan also selected. The team features a strong pace attack including Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Prasidh Krishna, who was dropped from the Test squad. Core players from the recent Australia A series have been retained, including Abhishek Sharma and Riyan Parag, the previous series' Player of the Series. Notably absent are Sanju Samson and Rajat Patidar. The A series will provide crucial preparation ahead of the senior teams' three-match ODI series starting November 30. Another India A contingent will simultaneously compete in Qatar's Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament.
Squad Composition and Key Selections
The team includes Prabhsimran Singh and Ishan Kishan as wicketkeeping options, with Prabhsimran having impressed during the Australia A games in Kanpur. The pace department looks formidable with Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Khaleel Ahmed, all possessing international experience. Shreyas Iyer, who captained against Australia A, misses out due to a spleen injury from the Sydney ODI. Notable omissions include Rajat Patidar, originally named captain before Iyer's inclusion, who will likely play Ranji Trophy for Madhya Pradesh, and Sanju Samson. The core group from last month's Australia A series continues, particularly Abhishek Sharma and Riyan Parag. Meanwhile, a separate India A squad led by Jitesh Sharma will participate in Qatar's Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament.
Source: Link