Picture Credit: X
After the first unofficial Test between England Lions and India A ended in a draw with a batting riot from both ends, either sides will be hoping for a result in the second unofficial Test, which is set to be played from June 6 till June 9 at the County Ground in Northampton. The two-match series proves crucial before India’s high-octane clash against India, which will be played from June 20.
Moreover, with India eyeing their 18-year wait of a Test series win on the English soil, the Men in Blue have been handed a massive setback as India A will miss the services of newly-appointed Test captain, Shubman Gill and his Indian Premier League (IPL) teammate, Sai Sudharsan. Notably, the duo were seen last playing competitive cricket in GT’s 20-run defeat against Mumbai Indians (MI) in Eliminator of IPL 2025.
Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan to miss India A’s second unofficial Test vs England Lions
According to a report published by ESPNcricinfo, the GT opening pair will miss the India A match as they will travel to England with the main squad, which will land in England on June 6. However, the duo are coming after a fabulous IPL 2025 season where Sai Sudharsan finished as the top run-scorer, bagging the Orange Cap with 759 runs in 15 matches, including six fifty-plus scores and a century. Shubman Gill is also coming off a brilliant season with the GT, amassing 650 runs in 15 matches at an average of 50 and a strike rate of 155.87. “Both Sai and Gill have been training with the red-ball over the last few days. After a long tournament, they need some rest and recovery,” a source close to the develoments said, as quoted by TOI.
Moreover, KL Rahul is expected to play the game against England Lions after joining the India A squad on Tuesday, June 3. He will be crucial, seeing him prepare in the English conditions prior to the five-match Test series, which will commence from June 20 in Leeds. Akash Deep will also reportedly be available for selection after focusing on training in Cantebury during the first unofficial Test.
India A squad for England tour
Abhimanyu Easwaran (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair, Dhruv Jurel (VC) (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Ishan Kishan (WK), Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan, Tushar Deshpande, Harsh Dubey
