Shikhar Mohan to join India A squad from second New Zealand A game
Synopsis
Barely a year after his senior debut, 20-year-old Jharkhand left-hander Shikhar Mohan has earned an India A call-up for the New Zealand tour — a rapid rise backed by 613 debut Ranji Trophy runs, a Duleep Trophy title, an Irani Cup fifty, and a blazing start to the current Ranji season with a 143 and a 127.
Key Takeaways
Shikhar Mohan will join India A from the second four-day game of their New Zealand tour, starting at Hagley Oval .
The series opener was played in Lincoln on 24 October ; the tour concludes on 7 November .
His delayed arrival is due to KL Rahul and Anshul Kamboj being part of the ODI squad for the first three matches against New Zealand.
Mohan scored 613 runs in his debut Ranji Trophy season and has already hit 143 and 127 in the current campaign.
He struck twin fifties in the Duleep Trophy final and contributed a 60 in the Irani Cup win in Srinagar .
Born in Ranchi in May 2005 , Mohan made his senior debut at 20 in October 2025 .
Jharkhand's left-handed batter Shikhar Mohan will link up with the India A squad from the second four-day fixture of their ongoing tour of New Zealand, according to sources familiar with the development. The India A side opened their three-match four-day series against New Zealand A in Lincoln on 24 October.
Tour Schedule and Squad Changes
The second four-day game is scheduled at Hagley Oval, with the series wrapping up back in Lincoln on 7 November. Mohan's delayed arrival is tied to squad rotation — KL Rahul and Anshul Kamboj, both initially part of the India A set-up, have been named in the squad for the first three ODIs against New Zealand. Auqib Nabi and Kumar Kushagra have been picked for the final two games of the five-match ODI series, prompting a reshuffle in the four-day group.
'He will be there with the India A team from the second game onwards. Some changes are expected to be made to the India A team due to a few players being a part of the ODI series against New Zealand,' a source said on Thursday. 'So, for now Shikhar will be there with the India A side from the second game onwards.'
Rapid Rise Through Domestic Cricket
Mohan's call-up marks a swift ascent since his senior red-ball debut barely a year ago. Born in Ranchi in May 2005, he honed his skills at the Ranchi Cricket Academy and represented Jharkhand at the Under-16, Under-19, and Under-23 levels before earning his senior debut at the age of 20 in a Ranji Trophy match against Tamil Nadu in Coimbatore in October 2025. He amassed 613 runs in that maiden Ranji Trophy campaign — a haul that announced his arrival emphatically.
Prolific Ranji Trophy Form
Mohan has carried that momentum into the current Ranji Trophy season. He hammered 143 against Kerala before following up with scores of 27 and 127 against Maharashtra in Pune in the second round of the competition. His consistency at this level has underlined why selectors are keen to fast-track his exposure to a higher grade of cricket.
Duleep Trophy and Irani Cup Credentials
Beyond Ranji Trophy, Mohan made a strong impression on his Duleep Trophy debut, scoring twin fifties for East Zone in the final against South Zone and playing a vital role in his side's title triumph at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Earlier this month, he struck 60 in the first innings for Rest of India in their Irani Cup victory over Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar. In the 50-over format too, Mohan has been equally potent, scoring 391 runs from just seven List A matches at an average of 55.85, with two hundreds and a best of 129.
What to Watch
The India A tour of New Zealand provides Mohan a crucial audition on overseas conditions — typically the sternest test for young Indian batters. His performances in the second and third four-day games will be closely tracked by national selectors as India's long-format pipeline continues to evolve.
Point of View
Built on hard pitches in Jharkhand and Chennai, holds up on New Zealand's seaming surfaces. Twin fifties in a Duleep Trophy final and an Irani Cup half-century suggest application beyond raw talent, but overseas four-day conditions will expose flaws that domestic red-ball cricket rarely does. His India A stint is effectively a selection trial in disguise, and the watching brief from the national selectors is real.
NationPress
22 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Shikhar Mohan join the India A squad in New Zealand?
Shikhar Mohan will join the India A squad from the second four-day game of the New Zealand tour, which is scheduled at Hagley Oval. The series opener in Lincoln was played on 24 October, and the tour wraps up on 7 November.
Why is Mohan not part of India A's opening game?
Mohan is not available for the first four-day game because squad members KL Rahul and Anshul Kamboj have been selected for the first three ODIs against New Zealand, necessitating changes to the four-day group. He will slot in from the second match onwards.
What has been Shikhar Mohan's recent domestic form?
Mohan has been in strong form in the ongoing Ranji Trophy, hitting 143 against Kerala and scores of 27 and 127 against Maharashtra. Earlier, he scored twin fifties in the Duleep Trophy final and struck 60 for Rest of India in the Irani Cup win over Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar.
What is Shikhar Mohan's overall domestic record?
Mohan amassed 613 runs in his debut Ranji Trophy season after making his senior debut against Tamil Nadu in Coimbatore in October 2025. In List A cricket, he has scored 391 runs from seven matches at an average of 55.85, with two hundreds and a top score of 129.
Who else from India A has been named for the ODI series against New Zealand?
KL Rahul and Anshul Kamboj have been named for the first three ODIs against New Zealand. Auqib Nabi and Kumar Kushagra have been selected for the final two games of the five-match ODI series.
