Indian middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer will miss the second unofficial Test between India A and Australia A in Lucknow. No official replacement has been named for the squad, and wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel is set to take charge and lead the team in Iyer’s absence, according to the Times of India.
Iyer, who was not included in the Indian squad for the Asia Cup 2025, led India A in the first unofficial Test against Australia A at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. The right-handed batter managed to score 8 runs off 13 balls in India A’s only innings. He also struggled to score for West Zone in the Duleep Trophy.
Shreyas Iyer Set to Miss Second Match Against Australia A
According to a report by the Times of India, Shreyas Iyer has withdrawn from India A’s second unofficial Test against Australia A. Shreyas Iyer returned home ahead of the match, set to begin on September 23. Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel will captain in his absence.
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However, Shreyas Iyer will be in the scheme of things for India’s middle order in the upcoming two-match Test series against the West Indies. Notably, it will be India’s first home Test series in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle.
“Yes, Shreyas is taking a break and has returned to Mumbai. He has informed the selectors that he won’t be able to play in the second four-day match against Australia A. However, he remains in fray for a spot in the middle-order when the selectors meet to pick the squad for the West Indies series,” a source told the English daily.
India A Secured a Draw Against Australia A in the First Match
India A secured a draw against Nathan McSweeney’s Australia A in the first four-day game. Shreyas Iyer was dismissed lbw by Corey Rocchiccioli.
Australia A posted a massive total of 532/6 after centuries from Sam Konstas (109) and Josh Philippe (123). Campbell Kellaway (88), Cooper Connolly (70), and Liam Scott (81) added valuable contributions. Harsh Dubey picked up three wickets, and Gurnoor Brar chipped in with two scalps.
In response, India A declared the innings at 531/7 in 141.1 overs. Devdutt Padikkal (150) and Dhruv Jurel (140) scored centuries, while Narayan Jagadeesan (64) and Sai Sudharsan (73) added fifties.
KL Rahul and Mohammed Siraj Set to Join India A for Second Match
Wicketkeeper batter KL Rahul and pacer Mohammed Siraj are expected to join India A for the second unofficial Test against Australia A. Siraj will replace left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed, who will miss the match.
Young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who is recovering from a knee injury that kept him out of the first game, is also likely to miss the second fixture.
India A’s updated squad for the second four-day game vs Australia A: KL Rahul, Abhimanyu Easwaran, N Jagadeesan (WK), Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel (VC & WK), Devdutt Padikkal, Harsh Dubey, Ayush Badoni, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Tanush Kotian, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Manav Suthar, Yash Thakur.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India is set to announce the squad for the upcoming two-Test series against a West Indies team led by Roston Chase on either September 23 or 24.
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