Cricket

India A's upcoming four-day match against Australia A will serve as a crucial test for three players vying for spots in the Indian Test squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.Abhimanyu Easwaran, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Prasidh Krishna have all been included in the India A squad and will be eager to impress the selectors. Easwaran, in particular, is seen as a potential replacement for Rohit Sharma if the Indian captain misses any matches due to personal reasons.Easwaran has a wealth of experience in First-Class cricket, having played 99 matches and scored over 7,600 runs. He has also been part of the Indian squad in the past and has been in impressive form recently, scoring centuries in the Duleep Trophy, Irani Trophy, and Ranji Trophy.Nitish Kumar Reddy, on the other hand, has less impressive First-Class numbers but has been drafted into the squad for his all-round abilities. He is a pace-bowling all-rounder with batting being his stronger suit.Prasidh Krishna is a late addition to the India A squad and will be looking to find some rhythm after returning from injury. He has picked up just seven wickets in his last seven innings across various domestic tournaments.Other players in the India A squad who will be looking to impress include skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, top-order batter B Sai Sudharsan, pacers Yash Dayal and Navdeep Saini, and middle-order batter Devdutt Padikkal.The match against Australia A will provide these players with an opportunity to showcase their skills in Australian conditions and stake their claim for a place in the Indian Test squad.

Controversy Erupts in Emerging Asia Cup Semi-Final as Umpire Reverses Decision Without DRSA dramatic controversy unfolded during the semi-final of the Emerging Asia Cup between India A and Afghanistan A in Oman, as an umpire reversed a key decision without using the Decision Review System (DRS).The incident occurred when Afghanistan opener Zubaid Akbari was initially ruled not out after an appeal for a catch behind the stumps. However, following a lengthy consultation with the third umpire, despite the absence of DRS, Akbari was given out, sparking outrage from the Afghanistan camp.Akbari, who had scored 64 off 41 balls, refused to leave the field, raising his hand in protest. The situation escalated when the Afghanistan coach instructed Akbari to stay on the field, leading to a heated discussion between officials and coaching staff from both teams.The controversial reversal of the decision created tension, with both coaching units debating the ruling. Despite the setback, Afghanistan A posted a formidable total of 206/4, the highest score of the tournament, led by a 137-run opening partnership between Sediqullah Atal (83 off 52) and Akbari. Karim Janat added a quick 41 off 20 balls to give Afghanistan a strong finish.India A, chasing 207, stumbled early, losing five wickets by the 13th over. Ramandeep Singh and Nishant Sindhu provided late resistance with a brisk 68-run stand off 31 balls, but a miscommunication led to Sindhu's run-out, leaving India with too much to do in the final overs.Abdul Rahman held his nerve in the final over, dismissing Ramandeep on the last ball to restrict India A to 186/7, sealing a 20-run victory for Afghanistan A. They now advance to the final to face Sri Lanka A.The controversy surrounding the umpire's decision has raised questions about the use of DRS in international cricket and the potential for human error to influence the outcome of matches.

In a thrilling encounter at the Emerging Teams Asia Cup T20 tournament, Afghanistan A emerged victorious over India A by 20 runs, securing their place in the summit clash against Sri Lanka A.Afghanistan A's openers, Sediqullah Atal and Zubaid Akbari, set the tone for their team's dominant performance. Atal smashed 83 runs off 52 balls, including four sixes and seven boundaries, while Akbari contributed 64 runs off 41 balls, hitting four sixes and five fours. Their 137-run opening partnership laid the foundation for Afghanistan A's impressive total of 206/4.In response, India A struggled to gain momentum, losing three wickets within the powerplay. Abhishek Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh, and Tilak Varma were dismissed cheaply, leaving India A reeling at 48/3. Ayush Badoni and Nehal Wadhera attempted to steady the innings, but Afghanistan A's bowlers kept the pressure on.Ramandeep Singh emerged as a beacon of hope for India A, scoring a valiant half-century. He forged a 68-run partnership with Nishant Sindhu in just 31 balls, giving India A a glimmer of hope. However, Nishant's unfortunate run-out in the 16th over proved to be a turning point.With India A needing 53 runs from the last three overs, the momentum shifted decisively in Afghanistan A's favor. Abdul Rahman held his nerve in the final over, dismissing Ramandeep on the last delivery and restricting India A to 186/7.In the other semifinal, Sri Lanka A displayed their bowling prowess, restricting Pakistan Shaheens to a modest 135/9. Leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha was the star performer, claiming 4/21, while Nipun Ranskika and Eshan Malinga chipped in with two wickets each. Sri Lanka A chased down the target in 16.3 overs, setting up a tantalizing final against Afghanistan A.

India A Dominates Emerging Teams Asia Cup, Secures Semifinal BerthIndia A has emerged as a formidable force in the ongoing T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup, securing an all-win record in their Group B league engagements. The team's impressive run began with a thrilling 7-run victory over Pakistan A, followed by a dominant 7-wicket triumph against UAE. In their final group match, India A showcased their batting prowess with a comprehensive 6-wicket victory over Oman.In the crucial semifinal clash against Afghanistan, India A continued their winning streak. Lucknow Super Giants youngster Ayush Badoni played a pivotal role, smashing a blistering 51 off just 27 balls. His explosive innings propelled India A to a comfortable 141-run target in a mere 15.2 overs.India A's success in the tournament is a testament to their depth and versatility. The team has displayed a balanced performance, with both their batting and bowling units contributing to their victories. Their ability to adapt to different conditions and strategies has been a key factor in their dominance.Meanwhile, in the first semifinal, Sri Lanka emerged victorious over Pakistan, securing a seven-wicket victory. The Sri Lankan team will now face India A in the highly anticipated final of the Emerging Asia Cup.

Ishan Kishan, the swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter, has made a triumphant return to the national setup after being named in the 15-member India A squad for the upcoming tour of Australia. The selection marks a significant milestone in Kishan's career, as he aims to reclaim his place in the Indian team.Kishan's journey back to the national fold has been marked by both highs and lows. Earlier this year, he was dropped from the BCCI central contracts due to concerns over his prioritization of the Indian Premier League (IPL) over domestic cricket. However, his impressive performances in the IPL and domestic tournaments have earned him a recall to the India A squad.The upcoming tour of Australia will provide Kishan with an ideal platform to showcase his skills and prove his worth to the national selectors. India A is scheduled to play two first-class matches against Australia A in Mackay and Melbourne, followed by a three-day intra-squad game against the senior India team in Perth.Kishan's return to the national setup has been met with joy and excitement by his family and fans. A heartwarming video that went viral on social media captured the moment Kishan's mother and grandmother showered him with love as he left for the Australia tour from his hometown.The India A tour of Australia is a crucial step in Kishan's quest to regain his place in the Indian team. With his exceptional talent and determination, he has the potential to become a key player for India in the years to come.

Ayush Badoni's Brilliance Powers India A to ACC Emerging Asia Cup Semi-FinalsMUSCAT, Oman - India A cruised to a comprehensive six-wicket victory over Oman in the ACC Emerging Asia Cup on Wednesday, setting up a semi-final clash with Afghanistan A. The triumph was orchestrated by the scintillating batting display of Ayush Badoni, who showcased his exceptional stroke-making ability.Badoni, a rising star from Lucknow Super Giants, hammered 51 runs off just 27 deliveries, including six boundaries and two towering sixes. His innings was a masterclass in timing and power, with the Delhi right-hander effortlessly dispatching the Omani bowlers to all corners of the ground.India A chased down the target of 141 with ease, reaching the milestone in just 15.2 overs. Abhishek Sharma provided a blistering start with a quickfire 34 off 15 balls, while skipper Tilak Varma anchored the innings with an unbeaten 36 off 30 deliveries.Oman's bowlers struggled to contain the Indian batting onslaught, with only Mohammed Nadeem offering any resistance with a knock of 41. India A's bowlers, led by left-arm spinner R Sai Kishore and leg-spinner Rahul Chahar, kept the Omani batsmen in check, conceding just 41 runs in their combined eight overs.The victory marked India A's third consecutive win in the group stage, securing their place at the top of the standings. They will now face Afghanistan A in the semi-finals, while Oman will take on Bangladesh A in the other semi-final.Badoni's performance was a testament to his growing reputation as a promising young talent. His ability to play a wide range of shots and his fearless approach make him a valuable asset to the Indian team.

Sitanshu Kotak, the National Cricket Academy (NCA) coach, is set to lead India A as their coach for their upcoming tour of Australia. The tour will feature two First Class fixtures and a "match simulation."The India A squad, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, will assemble in Mumbai today and depart for Australia from there. The team boasts a strong lineup of consistent domestic performers and players on the selectors' radar.Abhimanyu Easwaran, the vice-captain, has been in impressive form in the domestic circuit and is a strong contender for the reserve opener slot. He will face competition from Sai Sudharsan, who recently scored a double century against Delhi in the Ranji Trophy, and the elegant Gaikwad.The middle-order features Devdutt Padikkal and the consistent Baba Indrajith. Ishan Kishan is also back in the mix after his recent outings in the domestic circuit.The pace battery includes Khaleel Ahmed and Yash Dayal, indicating the selectors' desire for a left-armer seamer in the mix. The three fixtures will provide an opportunity for the selectors to assess the players' performances ahead of the five Tests against Australia.

India A Dominates UAE in Emerging Teams Asia Cup, Secures Semi-Final BerthIndia A emerged victorious in their Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024 match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), securing a seven-wicket win and a spot in the semi-finals.Led by captain Tilak Varma, India A's bowlers put on a stellar performance, restricting UAE to a mere 107 runs. Pacer Rasikh Salam Dar was the star of the show, claiming three wickets in his opening over, leaving UAE reeling at 40 for 5 within the power play. Ramandeep Singh also contributed with two wickets, helping India A bundle out UAE with over three overs to spare.In response, India A's openers made light work of the chase, reaching the target in just 10.5 overs with seven wickets in hand. Abhishek Sharma led the charge with a blistering 58 runs off 24 balls, including five fours and four sixes. Skipper Varma chipped in with 21 runs before being dismissed.Apart from the low-scoring chase, the match also witnessed a spectacular catch by Ayush Badoni. On the final delivery of the 15th over, Badoni dived towards his right and grabbed a stunning catch in the air, dismissing UAE batter Jawadullah for 1.India A's victory marks their second in the ongoing tournament, following their thrilling seven-run win against Pakistan on Saturday. They will now face Oman in their final Group Stage match on Wednesday in Al Amerat.

Ishan Kishan, the swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter, has earned a recall to the India A team for their upcoming tour of Australia in November. The 24-year-old was dropped from the BCCI's central contracts earlier this year due to disciplinary issues, but has since worked his way back into contention with impressive performances in domestic cricket.Kishan's inclusion in the India A squad is a testament to his talent and determination. He has been in excellent form this season, leading Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy and scoring a century for India C in the Duleep Trophy. His performances have caught the attention of the selectors, who believe he is ready to make a return to the international stage.The India A team will play two first-class matches against Australia A in Mackay and Melbourne, respectively. They will then take part in a three-day intra-squad game against the senior Indian team in Perth. This tour will provide Kishan with an opportunity to showcase his skills against high-quality opposition and stake his claim for a place in the Indian team.Kishan's recall is a positive sign for Indian cricket. He is a talented player with the potential to become a world-class performer. His return to the national setup will bolster India's batting lineup and provide them with another option in the wicketkeeper-batter role.