The Indian selectors have reportedly shortlisted 35 players for the upcoming India A tour to England, which is set to take place just a week after the IPL 2025 ends. This tour will serve as preparation for the senior team’s five-match Test series against England. The series will also mark the beginning of India’s new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
As per The Times of India, Rohit Sharma is likely to travel with the India A team for the England tour. The BCCI believes the team needs a strong leader for what could be a tough series in English conditions. There were talks earlier about a possible change in captaincy after India’s disappointing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but Rohit’s Champions Trophy win has helped him regain the board’s full support to continue as Test captain.
“Rohit is most likely to travel as the board feels that one needs a strong captain through the series, which is likely to be as tough as the Australia tour. With regard to the middle-order, the team management has shown very little confidence in Sarfaraz Khan’s ability,” a BCCI source said.
Rajat Patidar and Karun Nair in Line for India A Opportunities
The report also mentions that the selectors don’t have much confidence in Sarfaraz Khan right now. Instead, they’re looking to give Rajat Patidar and Karun Nair a shot in the India A games, with one of them likely to get a middle-order spot. Additionally, Sai Sudharsan is expected to be the backup opener for the India A tour to England. As for Shreyas Iyer, the board hasn’t made a decision yet about his return to the Test team. His last Test was in February 2024 against England, and after that, he was left out of the BCCI central contracts and dropped from the Test squad.
“Nair and Patidar are seasoned red-ball players and are in fine form. It is likely at least one of them will be in the India ‘A’ team. As for Iyer, he was dropped last year based on his poor returns in Test cricket. A final call is yet to be taken.” the source added.
Kuldeep Yadav in Contention as Spin Option Post-Ashwin Era
Another key name being considered is Kuldeep Yadav. He hasn’t featured much in overseas Tests recently, but with Ravichandran Ashwin now retired, the selectors might be keen to bring in Kuldeep as an attacking spin option.
The plan also includes taking a good number of travelling reserves, mostly pace backups for Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, along with possibly one or two spinners. There’s also some concern around Mohammed Siraj not fully stepping up in Bumrah and Shami’s absence. To stay match-ready, a few regular Test players might be asked to play in one of the three first-class games with the India A team.
