The first four-day ‘Test’ between Karun Nair-led India-A and New Zealand A starting at the picturesque Mulapadu Cricket Complex near here from Saturday presents another platform for fringe players to make a claim for a slot in the Indian team.
And, the two teams could not have asked for a better setting than a lush green ground and a pitch expected to be on the sporting side.
Karun said every member of the team was aware of the huge opportunity and keen to come up with a special performance. “We have the right balance and skills to do well in these Tests,” he added.
New Zealand-A captain Henry Nicholls said he was aware of the spin threat in Indian conditions. “It should be a great experience for most of us. We are ready for the challenges. The conditions will be tough for sure,” he said.
The Kiwi support staff has two prominent cricketers — Shane Bond and Gavin Larsen — who are not short on experience and knowledge of Indian conditions.
“I should be able to chip in a little about the conditions here,” said Bond with a big smile while stressing that adaptability is the key to success here.
The teams (from):
India-A: Karun Nair (capt.), Sudeep Chatterjee, Priyank Panchal, Ankit Rajpoot, Mohammad Siraj, Hanuma Vihari, Shreyas Iyer, Shardul Thakur, Shahbaz Nadeem, K. Gowtham, R. Samarth, Ankeet Bawane, Rishabh Pant and Navadeep Saini.
New Zealand-A: Henry Nicholls (capt.), Todd Astle, Tom Blundell (wk), Tom Bruce, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Scott Kuggeleijn, Colin Munro, Seth Rance, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Sean Solia, George Worker, Will Young, Glenn Philips and Jeet Raval.