IND vs ENG: KL Rahul requests India A inclusion; set to leave for England by Monday

IND vs ENG: KL Rahul requests India A inclusion (BCCI Photo)

In order to get ready for the Test series against England, KL Rahul reportedly has requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that he would like to be included in the India A team for the second unofficial Test match against the England Lions.

Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan were originally selected by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee in the India A squad for the second match beginning from June 6. However, with Gujarat Titans making it to the IPL playoffs has raised questions over their availability for the unofficial Test. Rahul, on the other hand, played for Delhi Capitals, who are already out of the competition.

The right-hander, who is among India's most seasoned batters for the tour in the absence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma (both retired from Tests), was reported to depart for England on Monday. “He will be flying on Monday and will be playing a second unofficial Test with the India A side. As he is part of the senior men’s team, which will be playing five Test matches in the series, these matches will give him game time and match practice,” a source in the BCCI confirmed to The Indian Express.

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The India A team, captained by Abhimanyu Easwaran, are currently engaged in the first unofficial Test against England Lions in Canterbury. A full-strength Indian squad will also compete in an intra-squad game in Beckenham on June 13. The first Test begins in Leeds from June 20. The Test squad includes up to nine players from the India A team.

With the team depending on his expertise and poise in trying foreign conditions, India's reliable top-order batsman Rahul is expected to be a key player in the forthcoming five-Test series in England.

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Rahul amassed 255 runs at an average of 30.66 in five Test matches on the tour of Australia, which featured two half-centuries. In the first Test in Perth, he put on a remarkable display, scoring 26 and 77 under difficult circumstances. When he returned for the second Test, captain Rohit Sharma rearranged the batting order, dropping him to No. 6 due to his form and consistency.

Rahul adds significant experience to the team with an experience of 58 Tests thus far. His prior efforts against the English team will be important as India prepare for the high-stakes series in England. Rahul has amassed 807 runs at an average of 29.88 in 18 Test matches against England, which include two hundreds and five half-centuries. His most noteworthy innings was in 2021 at Lord's, where he scored an incredible 129 to help Indian secure a historic win.