5 New Players in India’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy Touring Squad: As India gears up for the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, the team management has selected five new players who bring a fresh perspective and diverse skills to the squad. With a blend of emerging talent and seasoned players, the squad will face Australia’s formidable lineup in a high-stakes series.
5 New Players in India’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy Touring Squad
Here, we take a closer look at each of these five players: Abhimanyu Easwaran, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, and Prasidh Krishna.
5. Abhimanyu Easwaran: The Experienced Opening Batsman
Abhimanyu Easwaran’s inclusion brings a reliable and consistent performer to the top order. A 29-year-old right-hand opener from Bengal, Easwaran has patiently waited for his turn in India’s Test squad, having built an impressive resume in domestic cricket over the past decade. With over 7600 first-class runs and an average hovering around 50, Easwaran has consistently delivered in domestic tournaments, showcasing his resilience and composure under pressure.
Easwaran’s recent performances have been nothing short of phenomenal. He scored centuries in four consecutive first-class games, displaying his versatility against diverse bowling attacks. His standout innings include scores of 157* and 116 in the Duleep Trophy, followed by a 191 against Mumbai in the Irani Cup and a 127* against Uttar Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy. This recent form helped him surpass contenders like B Sai Sudharsan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Devdutt Padikkal for the reserve opener’s slot in the Border-Gavaskar squad.
With Easwaran already in Australia for the India A games, the team management is keen to test his skills against Australian bowlers like Scott Boland, Michael Neser, and Todd Murphy. If selected, Easwaran’s classical batting approach could be a stabilizing factor at the top of the order, especially in the absence of senior opener Rohit Sharma in the initial matches.
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4. Washington Sundar: The All-Round Spin Option
After a three-year hiatus from Test cricket, Washington Sundar is back, bringing with him the ability to play crucial dual roles as a bowler and lower-order batsman. Known for his accurate off-breaks, Sundar can effectively control the flow of runs with his unique bowling style, delivering from close to the stumps, which often results in wickets through bowled or lbw decisions.
In his recent Ranji Trophy appearance, Sundar showcased his skill by claiming seven wickets in the first innings and four more in the second. Though the competition for a spin-bowling spot is tough, with Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin as mainstays, Sundar’s off-spin and left-hand batting abilities make him a valuable alternative should the team require an extra spin option.
Sundar’s batting skills, as demonstrated by his previous Test performances, provide a strong argument for his inclusion. His unbeaten 62 at the Gabba during India’s last Australian tour, coupled with his half-centuries against England, show that he can handle quality bowling on tough surfaces. Standing at 6 feet, Sundar’s height is advantageous on Australian pitches, where extra bounce can be a game-change
3. Nitish Kumar Reddy: A Promising Seam-Bowling All-Rounder
Nitish Kumar Reddy, a rising star and a key player for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), made waves in the IPL and earned his T20I debut against Bangladesh this year. Just 21 years old, Reddy has already displayed his prowess as a middle-order batsman and a seam-bowling option, crucially helping SRH reach the IPL 2024 final. Known for his ability to swing the ball at speeds in the mid-130s, Reddy’s control over both inswing and outswing has made him a standout player in domestic tournaments.
Despite his fluctuating form in the Duleep Trophy, where he managed only two wickets and a high score of 40 not out, Reddy’s overall ability to impact games remains undeniable. During the last Ranji Trophy season, he led Andhra’s wicket tally with 25 wickets at an average of 18.76, including high-profile dismissals of Ajinkya Rahane and Shreyas Iyer in a memorable match against Mumbai.
Praised by his IPL captain Pat Cummins, Reddy’s inclusion shows the selectors’ confidence in his skill set and potential. By opting for Reddy, India has secured a versatile all-rounder who brings a mix of pace and power-hitting—an asset in a Test match setting where adaptability and resilience are key.
2. Prasidh Krishna: The Fast Bowling Prospect
Prasidh Krishna, who has been an intermittent presence in the Indian squad due to injuries, has regained fitness and a spot in the Border-Gavaskar squad. The 6’2” fast bowler is known for generating extra bounce on hard pitches, making him a formidable weapon in the Australian conditions. Despite his modest stats from his previous two Tests in South Africa, where he managed just two wickets at an economy rate of 4.60, Krishna has shown promising pace and control in domestic games this season.
Krishna’s strength lies in his height, which gives him a natural advantage on bouncy Australian pitches. Although he has yet to secure consistent form post-injury, with just seven wickets across the Duleep Trophy, Irani Cup, and Ranji Trophy games this season, the team management hopes that extended match practice with the India A squad will help him regain his rhythm. In a long series like the Border-Gavaskar, Krishna’s inclusion provides a backup pace option who can take on a heavier workload if needed.
1. Harshit Rana: The Emerging Fast-Bowling Talent
Harshit Rana rounds off the new faces in the squad, bringing youth and vitality to India’s fast-bowling lineup. At 22 years old, Rana has limited first-class experience, with only nine matches under his belt, yet his potential caught the selectors’ eye. A tall right-arm fast bowler from Delhi, Rana’s notable performances in the Duleep Trophy and IPL 2024 underscored his ability to step up on big occasions. He was instrumental in Kolkata Knight Riders’ successful IPL campaign with 19 wickets and a low economy rate of 9.08.
In first-class cricket, Rana showcased his effectiveness by claiming two four-wicket hauls while opening the bowling in the Duleep Trophy. Additionally, his remarkable 122 off 86 balls in the Ranji Trophy highlighted his batting potential, adding depth to India’s lower order. Despite his limited experience, Rana has consistently proven his ability to perform in high-pressure scenarios, making him a valuable addition.
Selected over seasoned campaigners like Mukesh Kumar and Navdeep Saini, Rana’s call-up reflects India’s belief in nurturing young talent. If given a chance, his aggressive pace and bounce could be crucial in the challenging Australian conditions.
Conclusion: India’s Balanced and Promising Squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy
India’s 18-man squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is a blend of experience and youthful vigor. The selectors have placed their trust in Abhimanyu Easwaran’s resilience, Washington Sundar’s all-round skill, Nitish Kumar Reddy’s versatility, Prasidh Krishna’s pace, and Harshit Rana’s raw potential. These players, each with unique attributes, offer flexibility and balance to the squad. Their inclusion over established names signals a forward-looking approach, with an emphasis on adapting to the distinct challenges that Australia’s pitches and playing conditions present.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy has always been a fiercely contested series, and with these fresh faces, India is equipped to face Australia’s seasoned lineup. The team’s strategy in nurturing emerging talent while maintaining an experienced core highlights its commitment to long-term success in Test cricket.
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