5 players to watch out for from India's A squad

The BCCI has announced the India ‘A’ squad that will tour South Africa starting next month for an ODI tri-series and two four-day games. Unsurprisingly, this India ‘A’ team comprises players who performed exceptionally well in the IPL and Ranji Trophy this year.

As Kohli and co. have started preparing for the 2019 World Cup, this A tour allows young players the opportunity to showcase their mettle. Although the teams for the triangular series and the four-day games include some high profile names like Manish Pandey, Axar Patel and Karun Nair, there are a few youngsters who will be under the scanner courtesy of their promising performances in domestic tournaments this year.

We take a look at the five young players for whom this A tour could well be a turning point.

---

#1 Basil Thampi

The lone shining light in Gujarat Lions’ 2017 IPL campaign and the winner of this year’s Emerging Player award, Basil Thampi made headlines in IPL 2017 with his fast and impressive pace bowling.

Having featured in only 11 First-Class games, the Kerala medium-pacer was an unknown entity in Indian cricket before the IPL but courtesy of his solid performances for the Lions, he is now regarded as one of India’s brightest prospects in the pace department.

The right arm medium pacer claimed 12 wickets in 11 IPL games at an average of 38.54. However, what stood out was his bowling in the death overs. Unlike the other bowlers, Thampi has impressive control over his yorkers and he bowls with a calm head during tight situations.

Although India currently have plenty of pace bowling options, barring Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar, there are not many who can bowl yorkers consistently at the death. Hence, the emergence of Thampi is highly beneficial for the team.

The South African pitches will surely help the Lions pace bowler and thus it will be interesting to see how he performs in these conditions.

#2 Mohammed Siraj

Siraj performed admirably for Sunrisers Hyderabad

Mohammed Siraj first came into the limelight during the 2016-17 Ranji season where he ended with 41 wickets, the third highest in the season. He then made his mark by bowling sharp bouncers against the Gujarat batsmen in the Irani Trophy game earlier in 2017.

Sensing his potential, Sunrisers Hyderabad bought him for a whopping amount of Rs. 2.6 crore in the 2017 IPL auction. Siraj proved his worth by picking up 10 wickets in six games.

The Hyderabad pace bowler has been lauded for his ability to bowl fast in all conditions. This A tour will be Siraj’s litmus test as he will come up against some high-quality batsmen from South Africa and Australia.

#3 Krunal Pandya

Krunal Pandya is a more than handy all-rounder

Krunal Pandya had an impressive IPL season in 2016, and in 2017, he furthered his reputation as a reliable all-rounder. The left-hander scored 243 runs at an average of 34.71 and also picked up 10 wickets at an economy rate of 6.82 in IPL 2017.

His effective all-round skills helped Mumbai Indians balance their squad and his tremendous performances under pressure allowed them to clinch the title for the third time.

Pandya is a handy middle-order batsman with a solid temperament and the ability to hit big sixes. These make him a specialist for limited overs cricket while his left-arm spin is an added bonus.

On Indian pitches, Krunal’s spin bowling is dangerous but does he have the skill to extract turn and bounce from South African pitches?

#4 Aniket Choudhary

The A tour could be Choudhary’s final opportunity

A left arm bowler who hits the 140 kph mark consistently, Aniket Choudhary was first spotted by Greg Chappell in 2008 when the later was working as an advisor to the Rajasthan Cricket Association’s Centre of Excellence.

Choudhary’s stable bowling action and his acute pace soon made him famous in Rajasthan cricket, resulting in the left-hander making his Ranji debut in 2011. However, his progress was hampered due to frequent injuries and some mediocre performances.

But the Rajasthan pacer came back strongly in 2016 fitter and stronger than ever. He was invited to India’s practice session for the Test series against New Zealand and Australia and was also included in the India ‘A’ team that played a four-day game against Bangladesh in February this year.

Choudhary represented Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2017 but had an average season as he managed only five wickets in five games. But his inclusion in India’s A team means the team management still has faith in him.

With other young pace bowlers making giant strides, this tour could be the last opportunity for Choudhary to make his mark.

#5 Priyank Panchal

Panchal had a phenomenal Ranji season

While other young Indian cricketers are relying on the IPL to create their identity, Priyank Panchal has gone the old fashioned way. The Gujarat batsman slammed five hundreds in the 2016-17 Ranji season and piled on 1310 runs to become the highest run scorer, leaving the others miles behind.

The 27-year-old has played first-class cricket since 2008 but gained the attention of the national selectors only this year courtesy of his staggering record in the Ranji Trophy.

It will be interesting to see how the Gujarat batsman adapts to South African conditions. If he can extend his purple patch, then he may soon find himself knocking on the doors of the national team.