Vijay Shankar to feature in India A squad for unofficial Test series

All-rounder Vijay Shankar, who was part of the India A side in South Africa for Triangular Series which included Afghanistan, will now feature in the squad for the upcoming unofficial two-match Test series against South Africa A as well. Along with Vijay Shankar, another all-rounder Krishnappa Gowtham will join the squad to replace Jayant Yadav.

Gowtham’s inclusion was confirmed by KSCA on Sunday as the Indian International Jayant Yadav lost his father recently. The Karnataka all-rounder will now be travelling to South Africa and join the team by August 11. A source confirmed that Vijay Shankar will be replacing Priyank Panchal, who is suffering from dengue. With Shankar already in South Africa, he will stay for the upcoming 4-day matches.

“Vijay Shankar is already there in South Africa. With Jayant unavailable due to personal reasons, Gowtham has been drafted in. Gowtham’s paper work is under progress and he is likely to join the team on August 11,” the source was quoted on TOI.

Priyank Panchal, the Gujarat opener was the leading run-scorer in the 2016/17 Ranji Trophy season as he scored 1310 runs, the only player to aggregate 1000+ runs during that tournament. Jayant’s replacement K Gowtham picked up 27 wickets in just 8 matches at an impressive average of 19.51 and also scored 178 runs at an average of 25.42.

Shankar’s inclusion meant that his Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) franchise, Lyca Kovai Kings will now miss his services in this series. The Kovai Kings expected Vijay Shankar’s return for the 2nd half of the tournament after completion of the A team Triangular series but the Tamil Nadu all-rounder’s inclusion to the 4-day games meant they will miss his services for the 2nd consecutive season.

Shankar missed out playing the inaugural edition of the TNPL last year as he was nursing an injury and will now have to wait one more year to make his maiden appearance in his State T20 league. India A will play the 2-match Test series starting from August 12th at Benoni and the 2nd game from 19th at Pretoria under the captaincy of Karun Nair.