India A Makes Notable Changes Ahead of Second Unofficial Test Against England Lions

India A's Preparations for the Test Series

As the senior Indian cricket team prepares for their upcoming Test series in England, India A is engaged in a shadow tour, currently playing their second unofficial Test. The selection for this match has raised eyebrows, particularly with the frequent changes in the playing XI, including the exclusion of Sarfaraz Khan and the inclusion of KL Rahul.

KL Rahul's Return to the Squad

KL Rahul, the experienced wicketkeeper-batsman, has joined the India A team in England to gain match practice before the Test series against England starting on June 20. In a significant move, he has been included in the playing XI for the second match and will open the batting.

Impact on Batting Order

This adjustment has altered the batting lineup, pushing captain Abhimanyu Easwaran to the number three position. Rahul's selection comes at the cost of Sarfaraz Khan, who had a commendable performance in the first match with a solid 90 runs. His exclusion has surprised many, especially considering his recent form with India A.

Changes in the Bowling Lineup

In a further unexpected decision, pace bowler Mukesh Kumar, who claimed three wickets in the first unofficial Test, has been left out of the squad for the second match. He is replaced by Khaleel Ahmed, introducing a new dynamic to the pace attack. Meanwhile, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shardul Thakur remain in the lineup, while Tanush Kotian has been added to the spin department, resulting in Harsh Dubey being dropped.

Confirmed Playing XI for the Second Unofficial Test

The confirmed playing XI for India A in the second unofficial Test includes: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Abhimanyu Easwaran (Captain), Karun Nair, Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Tanush Kotian, Anshul Kamboj, Tushar Deshpande, and Khaleel Ahmed.