IND-A vs AUS-A: From Ruturaj Gaikwad to Nitish Kumar Reddy, Five Key Players For India A In Test Series vs Australia A

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IND-A vs AUS-A: India A will take on Australia A in a two-match unofficial Test series from Thursday, October 31. India’s second-tier red-ball team will play two unofficial first-class matches against the Australia A team, before playing an intra-squad warm-up match against the senior India Test side.

The match will be a good way for prospective players to impress the selectors ahead of India’s Test matches against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which is starting on November 22.

Players with international experience such as Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad, as well as uncapped players like Abhimanyu Easwaran and Tanush Kotian, will be looking to put themselves in contention for the senior Test side ahead of the upcoming tournaments.

With such high stakes, let’s have a look at five key players who will likely have the biggest impacts on India A in the Test series against Australia A.

#5. Ruturaj Gaikwad

Despite his star power in the limited-over formats in both international and IPL matches, Ruturaj Gaikwad is yet to make his Test debut for India. That wait will likely continue for this year, as the 27-year-old was quite controversially snubbed for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad.

Gaikwad has every reason to feel hard done by, as he has consistently performed well in first-class tournaments such as the Duleep Trophy, Irani Cup, as well as the Ranji Trophy. The batter has scored 472 runs in the domestic circuit, maintaining an average of 47.2.

He will look to continue that fine form as the captain of the India A side taking on Australia A, and will look to remind fans why he should have been on the squad playing in the Border Gavaskar Trophy.

#4. Abhimanyu Easwaran

In-form batter Abhimanyu Easwaran was picked as the travelling reserve in the Border Gavaskar Trophy at Gaikwad’s expense, and the Bengal captain will look to justify the selectors’ faith by performing well when called upon.

The 29-year-old, who is yet to make his senior debut, has been on fire in domestic cricket this year. He grabbed headlines after scoring four consecutive first-class centuries. If he is able to carry on that form to the international arena, he will be a capable replacement in case Rohit Sharma is unable to take the field during the early matches in the tournament.

#3. Ishan Kishan

Ishan Kishan is among the most experienced players who will take part in the India A vs Australia A Test series, as the wicketkeeper-batter has appeared for the senior side in all three formats.

However, the 26-year-old has endured a tough couple of years. He took a 'break’ from domestic and international cricket after last appearing in a T20I against Australia in November 2023. The batter cited 'mental fatigue’ as the reason, but his skipping of the Ranji Trophy led to a snub from the BCCI’s central contracts list.

The southpaw batter has fought back into international contention with some impressive performances in domestic cricket. He took part in the Buchi Babu Tournament, Duleep Trophy, Irani Cup, and Ranji Trophy, scoring two recent centuries in first-class cricket. He will now look to do the same wearing an Indian jersey after more than a year of exile.

#2. Sai Sudharsan

Sai Sudharsan has enjoyed a steady rise in recent years, with the 23-year-old finally making his red-ball debut in an Indian jersey – albeit for the 'A’ team. He has been in scintillating form in domestic tournaments, scoring a double century in the last Tamil Nadu match against Delhi.

His strong showings in the Ranji Trophy have been accentuated by his play in the Duleep Trophy, where he scored a century as a part of the India A squad. He also gained overseas experience with a fruitful outing in County Cricket for Surrey, even registering his first century there.

#1. Nitish Kumar Reddy

Indian cricket has never been abundant with world-class all-rounders, but Nitish Kumar Reddy might just be the one to change that. The 21-year-old batting all-rounder caught the eye with his IPL performances, specialising as a middle-order power-hitter in both IPL and T20I matches.

Whether he will be able to carry his batting form to the longest format. His outings in first-class cricket have not been great as of late, with two ducks in the Duleep Trophy. However, he does have more than seven hundred runs in first-class cricket, as well as taking 55 wickets. His overall domestic form has seen him picked as a part of India’s Border Gavaskar squad.

Considering his age, Reddy has a bright future ahead of him, and the upcoming unofficial Test series will be the perfect chance to make a case for playing for the senior side.