KL Rahul is back playing for India A again•AFP/Getty Images
A grassy surface greets the teams at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, where South Africa A have opted to bowl first against a star-studded India A side.
The hosts field a formidable line-up. Eight of their XI have Test experience. Among them, four – KL Rahul, Mohammed Siraj, Sai Sudharsan, and skipper Rishabh Pant – are Test regulars. For Abhimanyu Easwaran, this match presents a golden opportunity to stake his claim for a national recall after being overlooked for the Tests against West Indies and South Africa.
Kuldeep Yadav, recently released from India’s Test squad after returning from Australia just four days ago, slots in to get valuable match time. The management believes this outing will be ideal preparation ahead of the first Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens, starting November 14.
For the visitors, Temba Bavuma returns to action after missing the Pakistan tour through injury. The South African Test captain will look to find rhythm and confidence against a potent India A pace attack before leading his side in Kolkata next week.
Playing XIs:
India A: KL Rahul, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant (capt & wk), Dhruv Jurel, Saurabh Dubey, Akash Deep, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
South Africa A: J. Hermann, Senokwane, Zubayr Hamza, Temba Bavuma, Colin Ackermann, Esterhuizen, van Buuren, Simmonds, Subrayen, Moreki, Cele
