The BCCI have announced a host of updates to the India A squad that will face South Africa A in a four-day unofficial ‘Test’ in Benoni.

India A are currently on a tour of South Africa, shadowing the senior men’s team who are in the middle of an all-format series against the same opponents.

India A have already played a four-day unofficial ‘Test’ against South Africa A which ended in a draw and will now face them again in Benoni for a second Test starting alongside the senior Boxing Day Test on December 26.

Following the first unofficial Test, the two white-ball series of the senior side, and the three-day intra-squad warm-up fixture, several changes have been made to the India A squad for the second four-day game.

Kuldeep Yadav, who was originally in the squad for the second game, has been withdrawn, while seamer Harshit Rana has suffered a hamstring injury ruling him out of the game.

Avesh Khan, who recently impressed in the ODI series against South Africa, has been added to the India A squad as a replacement for Rana, while three other batters have been added as well.

Rajat Patidar, who made his international debut in the third ODI against South Africa, Sarfaraz Khan, who recently blasted a 63-ball hundred in the three-day intra-squad practice match, and Rinku Singh, who has become a mainstay in the Indian T20I side, have all been added to the India A squad for the second four-day game against South Africa A.

🚨 NEWS 🚨

Ruturaj Gaikwad ruled out of the #SAvIND Test series.

The Selection Committee has added Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Avesh Khan & Rinku Singh to India A’s squad while Kuldeep Yadav has been released from the squad.

Details 🔽 #TeamIndia

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 23, 2023

Meanwhile, Abhimanyu Easwaran, who was originally supposed to be part of the India A squad, has been shifted to the senior side for the Test series as a replacement for the injured opener Ruturaj Gaikwad.

In the first four-day match against South Africa A, Prasidh Krishna shone with the ball, taking a five-for which included an all-bowled hat-trick. India’s first Test against South Africa starts on December 26 in Centurion, and Krishna might well be asked to make his Test debut in that game.

India are 6/4 with Betway to win the first Test.

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