BGT spots up for grabs as Padikkal-led India-A takes on Australia-A in first unofficial Test

Devdutt Padikkal lived up to his billing in the two-match series against Sri Lanka last month, and heralding the A-side could only add to his growing reputation. | Photo Credit: R. Ragu

Emerging First-Class players will hope to burnish their credentials while the veterans will send another selection reminder as India-A faces Australia-A in the first unofficial Test match at the Siachem Cricket Stadium in Puducherry, starting Tuesday.

A shadow series four months before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) is the ideal setting for a preemptive audition, even if both sides are trying to plug different gaps.

Devdutt Padikkal lived up to his billing in the two-match series against Sri Lanka last month, and heralding the A-side could only add to his growing reputation. Padikkal’s ascension came at the expense of B. Sai Sudharsan, who returns from a foot injury and would be eager to emulate his returns from the India-A tour to Sri-Lanka, where he notched up back-to-back centuries.

Apart from the two, Anshul Kamboj is the only other capped player in this India-A side.

Selectors have rewarded domestic returns by picking Aman Mokhade, Ayush Pandey, Kumar Kushagra, Yash Rathod and Shaik Rasheed. Chhattisgarh batter Pandey was part of the India-A series in Sri Lanka and might get an extended rope despite squandering starts in the island nation.

India-A’s only spin options come in the form of all-rounders Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian. Since India is still seeking a like-for-like backup for Jadeja ahead of the BGT, the Mumbai duo is likely to start, thus squeezing out a specialist batter from the line-up.

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The left-arm orthodox and off-spinner salvo will be in demand too. In the three First-Class games at this venue last season, spinners picked up 52 wickets at 23.32, while the quicks were limited to just 16 wickets at an average of more than 36.

It is precisely why the visitor has included Todd Murphy and Corey Rocchiccioli in its starting XI for the game.

Murphy came to these shores during the 2023 BGT as well, but with Nathan Lyon at the twilight of his career, Australia clearly wants another spin option in its ranks.

Another gaping hole for Australia to fill is the opening slot left open after Usman Khawaja’s retirement. Out-of-favour openers Nathan McSweeney and Sam Konstas both start Tuesday’s encounter, but Campbell Kellaway will also throw his hat in the ring for the opening spot.

The series is also probably the final chance for Peter Handscomb to showcase his fluidity against spin. The 35-year-old’s last Test call-up was the 2023 BGT, where he scored an unbeaten 72 in Delhi. Marnus Labuschagne’s lean run in the Australian middle-order might just leave Handscomb with an outside shot at selection.

Also gunning for a comeback is Ashes-winning quick Brendan Doggett, who leads a pace attack comprising first-time picks Fergus O’Neil and Liam Scott.