Abhinav Mukund to lead India A against Bangladesh in 2-day practice game

Tamil Nadu skipper Abhinav Mukund who led his team to the semi-final in the Ranji Trophy 2016-17 has been handed over the responsibility of leading a young India A team against the visiting Bangladesh in a two-day practice match to be played at Secunderabad from February 5.

Gujarat opener Priyank Panchal who was also the leading run-scorer of the season will be Mukund’s opening partner. Mumbai batting mainstay Shreyas Iyer who has been among the runs for the last couple of seasons is also a part of the squad and will be an important opportunity for him to prove his game at the big stage.

19-year-old Rishabh Pant who has been discussed every time the national selectors have met since his dazzling performances for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy. He was also a part of the India A team in the second warm-up 50 overs game against England and scored a half century. Pant will have the wicket-keeping responsibility in the team.

The Jharkhand Ranji team that impressed the most upsetting bigger names to make their way to the semi-final for the very first time has three representatives in the team. Batsman Ishan Jaggi, former India U19 captain and wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan and the leading wicket-taker of the season Shahbaz Nadeem. All the three have been on the selectors’ radar since they formed the backbone of the state team and put up spectacular performances that helped them during the season.

Hardik Pandya who has been in the fray for a spot in the Test XI having received his maiden call-up in the series against England has been included since the management would want him to play this match and prepare for the bigger challenges that might await him. Accompanying him is Tamil Nadu allrounder Vijay Shankar who also featured in the Rest of India team recently against champions Gujarat.

With Nadeem, the other two spinners are off-spinner Jayant Yadav who put up a fascinating allround show in the home series against England and chinaman Kuldeep Yadav who will also have eyes on him since the 22-year-old is considered one who would go on to serve the national team.

The selectors have also picked two left-arm seamers in Aniket Choudhary from Rajasthan and Hyderabad’s Chama Milind, both the players had impressive outings in the domestic season. Nitin Saini is the third wicketkeeper-batsman in the team and is the backup keeper in the team.

India A squad for the warm-up game against Bangladesh:

Abhinav Mukund (Tamil Nadu) (Captain), Priyank Panchal (Gujarat), Shreyas Iyer (Mumbai), Ishank Jaggi (Jharkhand), Rishabh Pant (Delhi), Ishan Kishan (Jharkhand), Vijay Shankar (Tamil Nadu), Hardik Pandya (Baroda), Shahbaz Nadeem (Jharkhand), Jayant Yadav (Haryana), Kuldeep Yadav (Uttar Pradesh), Aniket Choudhary (Rajasthan), Chama Milind (Hyderabad), Nitin Saini (Haryana)