Bengaluru: There couldn’t have been busier times in Indian cricket. Apart from the Women’s World Cup and the men’s series in Australia, at least two dozen matches are being played across age and gender categories on the domestic circuit. Add to it the South Africa ‘A’ tour — a prelude to the India-South Africa series later this month — comprising two Test matches, three One-Dayers, and five T20 matches, and it’s a calendar of abundance. But it isn’t all good. While the India ‘A’ vs South Africa ‘A’ four-day matches, which begin here at the BCCI Centre of Excellence on Thursday, provide a platform for players returning from injuries and those looking for some red-ball game time, the others have very little to gain, especially given the timing. After the two Test matches against South Africa — for which most players would pick themselves — India’s next red-ball engagement is a two-Test away series against Sri Lanka in August next year. But the ‘A’ series games mean several Ranji Trophy teams have been deprived of key players for two to three matches. In some cases, it has taken the sheen off state teams. If it were simply a question of game time, the players in need of it could have played in the ongoing Ranji Trophy. And for those who don’t make the playing XI for the ‘A’ series, it’s just a downright waste of time.COMEBACKS & GAME TIME The Indian side in both ‘A’ games will be led by Rishabh Pant, who returns from a three-month injury layoff that kept him out of the recently concluded home series against the West Indies. Pant, who broke his foot during the fourth Test against England in June, has spent a lot of time at the rehabilitation facility at the CoE. These matches are crucial for him, and the 28-year-old will look to get runs and game time under his belt at a venue that is batting-friendly and against a bowling attack which, on paper, is largely short on experience. The other Indian Test hopefuls who will be seen in action in the first match are Devdutt Padikkal and N Jagadeesan, along with top-order batter Sai Sudharsan, who has been named Pant’s deputy. For the second match, to be held at the same venue from November 6, KL Rahul, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, and Dhruv Jurel will join the squad. Sudharsan, speaking on the ‘A’ tour fixtures, said, “It is an opportunity as always. India ‘A’ matches are very important, and we are lucky to have them just before the main series. We will take this as a big opportunity to understand the conditions and will plan accordingly.” The visitors will be led by batter Marques Ackerman, while Test skipper Temba Bavuma, who has been out due to a calf injury, is expected to join the squad for the second fixture.
