Published: Aug 17, 2015, 11:55 AM (IST)
Edited: Aug 17, 2015, 11:55 AM (IST)
With a win in the triangular series that included South Africa A and Australia A, India A now looks to seal the unofficial Tests as well, when they lock horns with the Proteas in the first of the two-match series on Tuesday at Krishnagiri Stadium, Wayanad. Leading for the very first time, Ambati Rayudu, who has no international experience in the whites, has a heap of responsibility on himself to deliver with the bat. AT the same time, he has a golden opportunity to display his potential of handling the side in the absence of big names by providing support to the players who aren’t as old as him in the game. READ: England Ashes heroes draw caricatures of each other for charity
Meanwhile, the South Africans who ruined their tour when 10 players of the team were hospitalized due to food poisoning during the tri-series, which was one of the reasons they did not perform well, will aim to fix the damage by bringing their best in the unofficial tests. Both the sides are balanced—inexperienced but have played enough First-Class Cricket to ensure a good show in the next four days at Kerala.
India finished on the losing side in the second unofficial Test against Australia A even when under likes of Virat Kohli, Amit Mishra, Chesteshwara Pujara and Pragyan Ohja. However, that 10-wicket loss should not be in the minds of Rayudu’s men, they should aim to take the upcoming series with fresh strategies and mindsets. While India’s top-scorer in the unofficial Tests against Australia KL Rahul will be missed as he is with the senior team touring Sri Lanka for the three Tests series, Abhinav Mukund who always played a supporting role in the presence of the former has a chance to lead the batting line-up from the front. READ: Ravichandran Ashwin is ready to lead Indian attack, asserts Rahul Dravid
He stood third, behind Rahul with 123 runs in the two Tests against the Australians at an average of almost 31. Shreyas Iyer was next, with 119 runs to his name, has two more matches ahead of him to perform well in order to seal his spot for the next series.
In the absence of regular international spinners— Pragyan Ohja and Amit Mishra—Axar Patel and Karn Sharma have to influence the bowling attack in the series. With the latter having played one international Test, he does have a certain idea of playing an overseas team. Meanwhile, right-arm medium pacer Ishwar Pandey has the numbers speaking for him, 139 wickets from 35 First-Class matches with 8/84 being his best figures. READ: Stuart Binny to join Indian team in Sri Lanka
The match will begin at 9:30 Local Time.
