Karun Nair, Shardul Thakur, close to the UK tests against India, make India a squad

Veterans Karun Nair and Shardul Thakur are one step closer to a recall to the Indian squad. The duo were named in the India A squad for the series against England, starting on June 6. Nair and Thakur both enjoyed stellar domestic seasons and are in contention to make the squad for the India vs England Tests.

India vs England: Karun, Shardul make A squad

Karun Nair and Shardul Thakur have made the India A squad for the 2-match tour of England. The two four-day games are a precursor to the 5 India vs England Test matches. Abhimanyu Easwaran was named captain of the squad, with Dhruv Jurel named as his deputy.

Nair and Shardul both had impressive domestic seasons, especially in the Ranji Trophy. The former was the 3rd highest run-getter, helping Vidarbha win the title. He followed it up with 779 runs in 8 Vijay Hazare Trophy games to push selectors into recalling him.

The 33-year-old also has two seasons’ worth of experience playing County cricket with Northamptonshire. With the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Nair is vying for an empty middle-order slot. His experience helps, and he could well have a chance to make another Test appearance after 8 years.

Much like Nair, Shardul enjoyed a lot of success with Mumbai. In the Ranji Trophy, Thakur scored 35 wickets in 9 Ranji Trophy matches and scored a commendable 505 runs at an average of 42.08. The 33-year-old was part of India’s squad when they toured England last time. With the bat, he has chipped in with 3 half-centuries on English soil, including one in the World Test Championship final against Australia.

India ‘A’ squad: Abhimanyu Easwaran (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair, Dhruv Jurel (VC) (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Ishan Kishan (wk), Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan, Tushar Deshpande, Harsh Dubey