Why are Gill and Sudharsan Missing the Second Match Against England Lions?
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Synopsis
In a surprising turn of events, India’s Test captain Shubman Gill and B Sai Sudharsan will not participate in the second unofficial Test against England Lions. This decision comes as they travel directly with the senior squad. Meanwhile, KL Rahul is set to join India A. What does this mean for the upcoming matches?
Key Takeaways
- Shubman Gill and B Sai Sudharsan will miss the second unofficial Test.
- KL Rahul is expected to join the India A team.
- First Test against England starts on June 20 in Leeds.
- Akash Deep is available for selection after injury recovery.
- First unofficial Test ended in a draw, highlighting key performances.
New Delhi, June 3 (NationPress) Shubman Gill, the newly appointed captain of the Indian Test team, will miss the upcoming second unofficial Test against the England Lions, which is set to kick off on June 6 in Northampton. Initially, the BCCI had indicated that both Gill and his Gujarat Titans teammate B Sai Sudharsan would join the India A team for this match. However, they will instead travel directly with the senior Test squad arriving in England on June 6, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.
On the other hand, KL Rahul is anticipated to participate in the India A squad after joining them on Tuesday.
The first Test in the five-match series between India and England is set to commence on June 20 in Leeds.
The England Lions fielded a relatively inexperienced lineup in the initial game in Canterbury, featuring only six Test caps. They are expected to bolster their squad with the addition of all-rounder Chris Woakes for the match in Northampton.
For India A, pacer Akash Deep is now available for selection. The right-arm fast bowler had been recovering from a back injury sustained during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year, but was declared fit in April and later participated in IPL 2025 with the Lucknow Super Giants. Although he was with the squad during the first unofficial Test, Akash spent most of his time training on the sidelines and bowling in short spells during breaks throughout the four days.
The first match between India A and England Lions concluded in a draw on a flat and slow surface in Canterbury, which provided minimal assistance to bowlers. Notable performances for India A included Karun Nair, who scored a double century, Dhruv Jurel with two fifties, and contributions from Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, and Nitish Kumar Reddy, each scoring quick half-centuries in the second innings.
All-rounders Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shardul Thakur, both part of India’s main Test squad, bowled 14.5 and 28 overs, respectively, in the match and are expected to build their workloads further in the second unofficial Test.
Following the match in Northampton, which concludes on June 9, the Indian team will engage in a closed-door intra-squad match against India A in Beckenham. Afterward, the senior Test squad will travel to Leeds to prepare for the series opener.
Point of View
It's crucial to acknowledge the strategic decisions made by the BCCI regarding player selections. With the senior Test squad's arrival and the upcoming series against England, prioritizing player fitness and readiness is vital. The absence of Gill and Sudharsan might impact India A's performance, but it underscores the importance of a cohesive approach as the team gears up for the Test series. Our nation will always support our players, ensuring they are fit for the challenges ahead.
NationPress
08/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won't Shubman Gill play in the second Test?
Shubman Gill will miss the second unofficial Test as he is traveling directly with the senior Test squad arriving in England on June 6.
Who is joining the India A squad?
KL Rahul is expected to join the India A squad for the upcoming match against the England Lions.
What is the status of Akash Deep?
Akash Deep is now available for selection after recovering from a back injury and has participated in IPL 2025.
When does the first Test between India and England start?
The first Test of the five-match series is scheduled to begin on June 20 in Leeds.
What were the results of the first unofficial Test?
The first match between India A and England Lions ended in a draw, with standout performances from players like Karun Nair and Dhruv Jurel.
