Days before the blockbuster Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), an 'India A' team will tour Australia for a shadow tour where they will face 'Australia A' in two unofficial Test matches, which will give both teams a chance to try their bench strength and also give fringe Indian players a chance to get used to the conditions.

The 'A' teams of both countries will play each other in the series opener from October 31 at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. Later, the two teams will go head-to-head at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from November 7.

Later, the India 'A' also set to play the main squad in an intra-squad practice game at Perth in what will be the only match the Rohit Sharma-led side will play in Australia before the series opener at the Optus Stadium from November 22.

India's selection for the series will be interesting as none of the members of the first-choice Test team will be able to play as the third Test match against New Zealand in Mumbai (1st November) starts a day after the first unoffical Test match begins.

Similarly, no player part of India's T20I side will be able to take part as the Suryakumar Yadav-led side are scheduled to tour South Africa for four T20Is from November 18 to 15.

One would assumme the T20I squad is similar to the one that faced Bangladesh, which also did not have any playes from the Test team. However, the inclusion of Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Mayank Yadav as travelling reserves for the New Zealand series indicates the quatret might be in the team's red-ball plans. Apart from Mayank, whose fitness for longer form cricket remains uncertain, the other two could be part of the 'A' team.

Yash Dayal was dropped from the Test squad for the Bangladesh series as the team decided against having an extra fast-bowler but the left-arm pacer should be part of the team touring Australia.Prasidh Krishna should also find a place if fit on the 'A' squad. Mukesh Kumar, who has played three Test matches for India in the last 18 months should also feature after continuing to impress in domestic cricket.

Ruturaj Gaikwad and Abhimanyu Easwaran are said to be in the race to be the team's backup openers, meaning they should open the innings for the 'A' team. Ruturaj is expected to lead the team after being named captain of the Rest of India outfit in the 2024 Irani Cup.

This tour also offers the selectors a chance to bring back Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan back in the scheme of things in red-ball cricket after the contract saga earlier this year. With Dhruv Jurel unlikely to be released from the Test squad facing New Zealand, Abhishek Porel could find a place as the backup wicketkeeper after impressive displays in the Duleep Trophy.

Devdutt Padikkal and Rajat Patidar are likely to feature after making their Test debuts during the England series. Sai Sudharsan should also find a spot, having already played both T20I and ODI cricket for the national team and someone touted as a future Test prospect.

Ricky Bhui could be another batter on the flight after finishing as the highest run-getter of both the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy and 2024-25 Duleep Trophy.

As far as spinners are concerned, Manav Suthar is likely to be picked. While Saransh Jain was picked in the Irani Cup, Tanush Kotian might get a chance after his all-round brilliance for Mumbai.

India A Predicted Squad For Australia Tour: Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shreyas Iyer, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Sai Sudharsan, Ricky Bhui, Ishan Kishan (WK), Abhishek Porek (WK), Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian, Harshit Rana, Yash Dayal, Prasidh Krishna, Mukesh Kumar

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