The countdown has begun. Team India are bracing for a five-match Test series in England. There is a sense of refresh as the new Indian team without Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin, are trying to rebuild, recalibrate in a hope to win a Test series in England after 17 long years.
While the big guns begin prep at Headingley, the real heartbeat of this tour might just lie in Beckenham, where a four-day intra-squad match is about to unfold on June 13. This isn’t just any warm-up game. It’s India vs India A and it might be where futures are written.
4 players from India A joined the Main India squad
Only four players from the India A squad have officially been called up to the main squad. They are none other than Anshul Kamboj, Mukesh Kumar, Harshit Rana, Manav Sutar. In fact, they are the ones who have been doing the hard yards on dusty tracks, under-covered practice pitches, and in silent dressing rooms where recognition is rare and pressure is constant.
Anshul Kamboj’s performance in the unofficial Test against England Lions wasn’t just good. It was loud enough to knock on the team management’s door. Two wickets in each innings, and a gritty 51 with the bat. In a five-match series, especially in England, pacers break down and that is where someone like Anshul becomes more than a net bowler.
Then there is Harshit Rana, young and full of fire, making a case with every outing. Mukesh Kumar, has been knocking around the fringes of India’s Test setup and has quietly become a go-to option when consistency is needed. Manav Sutar, the left-arm spinner from Rajasthan is expected to add a variety to a pace-heavy support crew.
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Team India’s recent tours to England have always had a subplot of surprises. A new star rising mid-series or a replacement player turning the tide. In an era where international cricket often feels like it is stuck in the loop of the usual names, it is refreshing to see newer faces making it into the conversation.
Cricket is still a game of opportunities and right now, four players have just been handed one with both hands. It will be interesting to see how they go about their business in the game.
