Karun Nair has expectedly been brought back to the Indian team’s scheme of things. He was named in the India A squad for the tour of England. These three matches — two first-class fixtures against England Lions and a third against the Indian senior team (intra-squad) — would be his audition for the upcoming five-Test series against England starting on June 20.
Shardul Thakur, too, is in the 18-member squad. The seam-bowling all-rounder last played for India in December 2023. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar had dropped a hint that they moved on from the 33-year-old. But Shardul scored 505 runs and took 35 wickets in the last Ranji Trophy season. With Nitish Kumar Reddy being a dibbly-dobbly bowler, Shardul could be a good option in England, where he was immense in 2021.
Karun, 33, hasn’t played for India since 2017. He has earned a recall, albeit in the India A side, by dint of his performances in domestic cricket during the 2024-25 season. In Ranji Trophy, he scored 863 runs in nine matches, including four centuries, at an average of 53.93 for champions Vidarbha. In the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy, he made 779 runs in nine innings at a staggering average of 389.50. With Virat Kohli hanging up his Test boots, the No. 4 position is up for grabs.
Ishan Kishan, too, is part of the squad, along with Dhruv Jurel.
By bringing back Karun and Shardul to the fold, the selectors have clearly rewarded performances in domestic cricket. The squad will be led by Bengal’s Abhimanyu Easwaran, who will open the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal.
The first match is from May 30, the second from June 6, while the third commences on June 13.
India A squad: Abhimanyu Easwaran (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair, Dhruv Jurel (VC) (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Ishan Kishan (WK), Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan, Tushar Deshpande, Harsh Dubey.
Note: Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan will join the squad ahead of the second match.