India A team is about to host South Africa A for a three-match one-day series in Rajkot.
There’s certainly no dearth of talent in India. This can easily be measured by the sheer number of players that will be in action in coming days. There’s the senior team hosting South Africa for two Tests. The Ranji Trophy is going on, and there are also two Under-19 teams that will compete in a triangular series. Not to mention, there’s a huge ‘ACC Rising Stars Asia Cup‘ which will see India’s upcoming talents get in action. Besides, a star-studded India A is also set for action against South Africa A in a three-match one-day series.
India A was just recently stunned when they let SA A chase down over 400 runs on the last day of the second unofficial Test. That bowling attack had major names, and so does this 50-over India A side. White-ball regulars Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh feature, while Tilak Varma leads the side. Ruturaj Gaikwad is the vice-captain, with Abhishek Sharma remaining the main attraction at the top. On that note, let us look at the best XI that could take the field in the first IND A vs SA A ODI in Rajkot.
No Ishan Kishan as Prabhsimran pairs with Abhishek
The top-order would feature two Punjab boys, Prabhsimran Singh and Abhishek Sharma. While Abhishek is a no-brainer, Prabhsimran is one of the two keepers in the side alongside Ishan Kishan. It would be an injustice to keep Prabhsimran out of the team, as he smoked 102 off 68 the last time he played for India A (against Australia A). Also, he is touted as a big thing in white-ball cricket.
At one down is Ruturaj Gaikwad, who is also the vice-captain of the side. He is in elite form at the Ranji Trophy for Maharashtra, having racked up 298 runs at an average of 149.00, including a 91 and a century. Gaikwad is a terrific top-order player and could be ideal for number three. At four would be the captain of this side, Tilak Varma. With Virat Kohli in the dying stages of his ODI career, Tilak seems a genuine option to be a mainstay in the ODI team. After all, he has a terrific composure and ability to absorb the pressure, something that we saw in the Asia Cup final. His leadership abilities would be tested as well.
Spin all-rounders delight for Tilak
The top four already includes Abhishek, who is more than a handy left-arm spinner. Apart from this, India A will have as many as four more spin options. Riyan Parag, Ayush Badoni and Nishant Sindhu would form the lower order. All three are extremely adept in both the departments. Parag, who is involved in a captaincy race for Rajasthan Royals (RR), is one of the few players who has played ODI for India.
Badoni, meanwhile, has scored three fifties in five Ranji Trophy innings for Delhi. Badoni is a far better white-ball player and could perform his role of showing up with great cameos for this Tilak Varma-led side. Nishant Sindhu is at number seven, who is one of the many left-arm spinners that India have. He is soft of a bowling all-rounder who made his name by scoring a fifty in the Under-19 ODI World Cup 2022 win for India.
India A can choose between Nishant and Vipraj Nigam but since Nishant took 6 wickets in the last IND A series, he might get a nod. Manav Suthar follows who took 11 wickets in the Ranji Trophy opener for Rajasthan. He played the first Test against SA A too, and did well. However, Suthar may bat below Harshit Rana, who is considered a pacer who can be a handy asset with the bat. In games like these, he should bat up the order and learn more about his secondary skill.
Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna complete the bowling attack. Both are in the ODI plans for India as both played a couple of ODIs against Australia recently. It is a terrific chance for Arshdeep to continue his form and show the Indian management that he is not just a T20 specialist. As for Prasidh, it is more about responding on his Test snub.
India A Predicted Playing XI vs SA A, 1st ODI
- Abhishek Sharma
- Prabhsimran Singh (wk)
- Ruturaj Gaikwad
- Tilak Varma (C)
- Riyan Parag
- Ayush Badoni
- Nishant Sindhu
- Harshit Rana
- Manav Suthar
- Arshdeep Singh
- Prasidh Krishna
On Bench: Ishan Kishan, Vipraj Nigam, Khaleel Ahmed
India A squad for SA A ODIs
Tilak Varma (C), Ruturaj Gaikwad (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, Ishan Kishan (WK), Ayush Badoni, Nishant Sindhu, Vipraj Nigam, Manav Suthar, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Khaleel Ahmed, Prabhsimran Singh (WK)
IND A vs SA A schedule
| Date (2025) | Match | Venue (Rajkot) | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 13 | 1st Unofficial ODI | Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot | 1:30 PM |
| Sun, Nov 16 | 2nd Unofficial ODI | Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot | 1:30 PM |
| Wed, Nov 19 | 3rd Unofficial ODI | Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot | 1:30 PM |
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