Mon May 19 15:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Summary:

The BCCI has announced the India A squad for a tour of England featuring three first-class matches against the England Lions and an intra-squad game against the senior Indian team. Abhimanyu Easwaran will captain the squad, with Dhruv Jurel as vice-captain. Key players like Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan will join later. The tour serves as preparation for the upcoming five-match Test series against England, which marks the start of the next World Test Championship cycle. England has enlisted Tim Southee as a consultant. The article also confirms Thailand and Nepal will progress to ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Global Qualifier.

## News Article:

**India A Squad Announced for England Tour, Key Test Series Preparation**

**Mumbai, India** – The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled the India A squad set to embark on a crucial tour of England ahead of the highly anticipated Test series against the host nation. The tour, featuring three first-class fixtures, aims to provide valuable match practice and acclimatization for the Indian players.

Abhimanyu Easwaran will lead the squad as captain, with wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel named as his deputy. The squad boasts a mix of experienced players like Karun Nair (recalled) and emerging talents like Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana. Top-order batsmen Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan are scheduled to join the squad ahead of the second match.

The India A squad will face the England Lions in two matches, scheduled to be held in Canterbury (May 30-June 2) and Northampton (June 6-9). Following these matches, the team will participate in an intra-squad encounter against the senior Indian men’s team in Beckenham (June 13-16).

This tour is seen as vital preparation for the five-match Test series against England, commencing on June 20th at Headingley. The Test series marks the beginning of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle, making it a significant campaign for both teams.

**India A Squad:** Abhimanyu Easwaran (Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair, Dhruv Jurel (Vice-Captain & WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Ishan Kishan (WK), Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan, Tushar Deshpande, Harsh Dubey.

Meanwhile, England has appointed former New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee as a consultant to bolster their preparations for the challenging Test series.

**Test Series Schedule:**

* First Test: June 20-24, Headingley
* Second Test: July 2-6, Edgbaston
* Third Test: July 10-14, Lord’s
* Fourth Test: July 23-27, Old Trafford
* Fifth Test: July 31-August 4, The Oval

The BCCI is confident that this comprehensive tour will equip the Indian team with the necessary experience and form to compete fiercely in the upcoming Test series.

**In other news,** Thailand and Nepal have secured their spots in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Global Qualifier.

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