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India A and the England Lions will play a three-match unofficial Test series as a warm-up before the upcoming five-match Test series between India and England. Shreyas Iyer is a potential captain for India A in this series.

New Delhi: A five-match Test series between India and England will commence on June 20. Following Rohit Sharma’s retirement, Shubman Gill is expected to captain India. Prior to the main series, India A will play three unofficial Test matches against England Lions from May 26th to June 19th.

Several players expected to feature in the main Test team are anticipated to participate in the upcoming unofficial Test matches against England Lions. Shreyas Iyer may captain the India A side, with Ishan Kishan likely to remain a member of the team. This article speculates on the potential composition of the India A squad for this three-match series.

India A’s potential opening quartet for their three-match series could consist of Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Devdutt Padikkal. Ruturaj Gaikwad’s inclusion depends on his recovery from an IPL injury; he is expected to be fit within weeks and travel to England if so.

Sudharsan and Easwaran’s selections are undisputed. Sudharsan is also a potential national team candidate. Padikkal’s IPL 2025 injury resulted in his withdrawal, but he will travel to England if he recovers.

Shreyas Iyer is expected to captain India A again. While he’s currently not considered for the national red-ball team, his leadership experience may lead to his return to the India A side. Iyer previously captained India A across all formats.

Karun Nair’s strong domestic performances may earn him a spot on the India A team. Sarfaraz Khan is expected to join India A before the upcoming Test series.

Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, and Tanush Kotian are expected to fill the all-rounder roles. Reddy’s place in the Test series starting XI is assured, providing valuable pre-series practice in England.

Dhruv Jurel and Ishan Kishan are expected to fill the two wicketkeeper roles on the team, with Rishabh Pant retaining his primary position for Test matches. One of Jurel or Kishan will serve as the backup wicketkeeper.

India’s pace attack, excluding Jasprit Bumrah, is expected to feature in the upcoming unofficial Test series. Mohammed Shami, who hasn’t played first-class cricket since November 2024, will use the India A matches as preparation.

Several Indian players, including Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, and Harshit Rana, are expected to feature in the upcoming series. The team’s composition may see some rotation in the initial matches, with Axar Patel also a potential addition. Players committed to the India series will not participate in the third unofficial Test match, which concludes on June 19th, the day before the official series begins.

India A’s Problem Squad for UNOFICIAL TESTS AGAINST ENGLAND Lions: Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Devdutt Padikkal, Sarfaraz Khan, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Tanush Kotian, Dhruv Jurel, Ishan Kishan, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Prasid Krishna, Harshit Rana, Axar Patel