In a move that has cricket enthusiasts buzzing, Karun Nair has made a triumphant return to the Indian team’s radar. The seasoned batsman has been named in the India A squad for the upcoming tour of England. This tour, featuring two first-class matches against England Lions and a high-stakes intra-squad game against the senior Indian team, serves as a critical audition for the five-Test series against England starting June 20.
Joining Karun in the 18-member squad is the versatile Shardul Thakur. The seam-bowling all-rounder, who last donned the Indian jersey in December 2023, has been given a lifeline after a stellar Ranji Trophy season where he amassed 505 runs and claimed 35 wickets. With Nitish Kumar Reddy’s bowling being somewhat limited, Shardul’s proven prowess in English conditions—where he shone in 2021—could make him a valuable asset.
Karun Nair, 33, hasn’t featured for India since 2017 but has earned his recall through sheer consistency in domestic cricket. During the 2024-25 season, he scored a monumental 863 runs in nine Ranji Trophy matches, including four centuries, at an average of 53.93 for champions Vidarbha. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, his 779 runs in nine innings at an astonishing average of 389.50 further cemented his case. With Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket, the No. 4 slot is wide open, and Karun is positioning himself as a strong contender.
The squad also includes dynamic wicketkeeper-batsmen Ishan Kishan and Dhruv Jurel, adding depth and flexibility to the lineup. Bengal’s Abhimanyu Easwaran will lead the team, opening the innings alongside the explosive Yashasvi Jaiswal.
The first match kicks off on May 30, followed by the second on June 6, and the third on June 13. This series promises to be a thrilling prelude to the main event against England.
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.
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