In the lengthier format, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have both been having trouble.
Virat Kohli’s form was not much better, averaging 23.75 against Australia despite making a century in Perth, while the Indian captain only scored 164 runs in three Test matches since September, including a poor 31-run performance in Australia. Playing in a Ranji Trophy match was an attempt by the two to get back on track, but it did not result in any notable gains.
The five-match Test series against England, which starts on June 20, is Team India’s next significant task. Prior to the series, the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) has probably requested a number of senior players, such as captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, to play for India A. Their poor results in previous Test matches, especially in Australia and the home series against New Zealand, served as the rationale for this choice.
A Hindustan Times report claims that in response to India’s recent Test cricket setbacks, the BCCI has implemented a number of measures. Prior to significant international tours, Test players must be included in the India A lineup. The India A team will play two four-day matches against the England Lions as part of this effort.
“The Spitfire Ground in St Lawrence, Canterbury, will host the first four-day match starting on May 30. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced in a statement that the second game will start at the County Ground in Northampton one week later on June 6.
Karun Nair is joining India A.
The ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) presents a significant obstacle to carrying out this proposal. May 20, 21, and 23 are the dates of the IPL 2025 playoffs, with May 25 being the championship game. The availability of India’s senior Test players for the A games is still uncertain because the majority of them play for their IPL teams. But because the BCCI is now giving the Test series priority, players who are having trouble with their red-ball form would have to quit the IPL early in order to play in these warm-up matches.
Notably, following an outstanding domestic season, Vidarbha batsman Karun Nair may be included in the India A lineup. With 863 runs at an average of 54, including four hundreds, the seasoned batter placed fourth in the Ranji Trophy standings and as the top run scorer in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The head coach of India, Gautam Gambhir, is also anticipated to accompany the India A squad on their trip in order to keep a close eye on the players.
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