In a surprising turn of events, Rinku Singh has been swiftly added to the India A squad for the second unofficial Test against England Lions following Virat Kohli’s sudden withdrawal from the first two Tests against England due to undisclosed personal reasons. This unexpected development suggests a strategic move by the selection committee to explore potential replacements and keep their options open.
Clear Planning by Selection of Rinku Singh
The Men’s Selection Committee, in an official release, confirmed the addition of Rinku Singh to the India ‘A’ squad for the second four-day match against England Lions scheduled in Ahmedabad from January 24th. The timing of this decision, just a day after Kohli’s announcement, hints at a calculated approach by the selection committee to evaluate alternatives.
Probable Lineup for First Test
With Kohli absent, the chances of naming his replacement before the Test seem slim. KL Rahul is anticipated to step in at No.4, followed by Shreyas Iyer at No.5, and KS Bharat taking the gloves. The spin-bowling all-rounders are expected to play a significant role. However, the formal announcement of a replacement is more likely to occur after the first Test.
Crucial Role of India A vs England Lions Match
The India A vs England Lions four-day match, commencing a day before the India-England Test, is poised to play a crucial role in determining the potential replacements. This strategic scheduling allows the selection committee to closely observe players in a match scenario before finalizing the Test squad.
India ‘A’ Squad Composition
The India ‘A’ squad for the second multi-day match includes Abhimanyu Easwaran (Captain), Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Tilak Varma, Kumar Kushagra, Washington Sundar, Sourabh Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Tushar Deshpande, Vidwath Kaverappa, Upendra Yadav, Akash Deep, Yash Dayal, and the newly added Rinku Singh.
Looking Ahead to the Third Multi-day Match
The India ‘A’ squad for the third multi-day match consists of Abhimanyu Easwaran (Captain), Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Kumar Kushagra, Washington Sundar, Shams Mulani, Arshdeep Singh, Tushar Deshpande, Vidwath Kaverappa, Upendra Yadav, Akash Deep, and Yash Dayal.
These matches present an opportunity for players to showcase their skills and potentially secure a spot in the national Test squad.
Also Read: IND vs ENG: Virat Kohli will not play the First 2 Test Matches Against England, Know the Details