India Names Abhimanyu Easwaran, Harshit Rana, and Nitish Reddy for Australia Tour

India has unveiled its squad for the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, naming three new faces in a carefully selected 18-man roster. Bengal’s Abhimanyu Easwaran, Delhi pacer Harshit Rana, and Andhra Pradesh’s all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy have earned maiden Test call-ups for the challenging five-match Test series set to kick off in Perth on November 22.

With seasoned players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah forming the squad's backbone, the selectors have balanced experience with promising talent for a tour that will see India defending its Border-Gavaskar title after previous historic series wins in Australia. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of India’s squad and the team’s strategy for the series.

Key Inclusions: Easwaran, Rana, and Reddy

The squad introduces three new names with Abhimanyu Easwaran, Harshit Rana, and Nitish Kumar Reddy, each of whom has demonstrated consistent form and resilience in domestic and limited-overs cricket. Easwaran, recognized for his steady run accumulation in domestic tournaments, brings reliable opening options alongside captain Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal. His recent scores include four consecutive centuries across the Duleep Trophy, Ranji Trophy, and Irani Cup, establishing his readiness for the rigors of Test cricket.

Harshit Rana has shown immense potential in the IPL, leading Delhi’s bowling attack, and his ability to generate bounce and pace makes him a valuable asset for Australia’s fast, bouncy pitches. For Rana, who has enjoyed a breakthrough year across formats, this is an opportunity to make his mark at the highest level.

Rounding out the list of fresh faces, Nitish Reddy has quickly climbed the ranks with notable IPL performances. A seam-bowling all-rounder, Reddy's inclusion suggests India’s preference for versatility in its pace attack. Reddy, already acclimated to Australian conditions through recent stints with India A, is poised to add depth to India’s batting lower down the order while contributing with the ball.

Strengthened Pace Battery: Shami, Kuldeep Absent

India’s fast-bowling line-up, despite the absence of Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav, remains robust. Shami’s recovery from an ankle surgery is ongoing, and his unavailability presents an opportunity for Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, and Harshit Rana to showcase their skills. Jasprit Bumrah leads the pace attack as vice-captain, with Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep expected to be the primary pace trio.

Prasidh Krishna returns after an extensive rehabilitation for a stress fracture, having impressed selectors with his recent performances in the Duleep Trophy. Rana, a promising addition to India’s bowling ranks, has taken 36 wickets at an average of 24.75 in first-class cricket, with his ability to swing the ball on harder pitches providing a strategic advantage.

Kuldeep Yadav’s absence due to a chronic left groin issue has left a gap in India’s spin department. The BCCI has referred Kuldeep to its Centre of Excellence for long-term care, and in his place, India has turned to Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin to carry the team’s spin responsibilities.

The Seasoned Middle Order

With Rohit Sharma at the helm, supported by prolific batsmen such as Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and KL Rahul, India’s middle order remains one of its strongest assets. Young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal will likely open the innings alongside Sharma or Easwaran, depending on the team’s strategy and Sharma’s availability, as the captain is expected to miss one of the early Tests for personal reasons.

Additionally, wicketkeepers Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel are part of the squad, with Pant expected to play a pivotal role in the middle order. Known for his counter-attacking prowess, Pant’s role becomes even more crucial in Australia, where his ability to adapt to variable pitch conditions could set the tone for India’s innings.

All-Round Spin Options

India's spin strategy for the Australian tour leans on all-rounders who offer both bowling control and batting stability. Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar, all capable batsmen, add flexibility to the squad. Jadeja and Ashwin’s experience will be crucial, particularly on Australian tracks that have, in recent years, offered assistance to spinners as the game progresses.

Washington Sundar, returning after three years in the Test team, has recently achieved a ten-wicket haul against New Zealand, reaffirming his position as a reliable option. Sundar’s ability to stabilize the lower order with the bat gives India an added layer of resilience.

Strategic Reserves and Schedule

Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, and Khaleel Ahmed round out the reserve squad. Their presence provides depth and ensures India’s bowling options remain well-stocked in the event of injuries. The inclusion of three travelling reserves reflects India’s commitment to a robust backup plan given the intensity and duration of the Australian series.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy begins with the first Test at Perth Stadium on November 22. India will play a warm-up match against India A in Perth from November 15 to 17, providing an opportunity for the team to adjust to Australian conditions. After the first Test in Perth, the teams will head to Canberra for a tour match, followed by the series’ second Test, a day-night game in Adelaide. The traditional Boxing Day Test will be held in Melbourne, with the New Year’s Test concluding the tour in Sydney.

India’s Previous Success Down Under

India, holding the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, has enjoyed remarkable success on its last two tours of Australia, winning the series by a 2-1 margin in both the 2018-19 and 2020-21 seasons. The current squad, with its mix of seasoned players and fresh faces, aims to defend its title while maintaining a strong competitive edge against Australia’s formidable lineup.

India’s Squad for the 2024-25 Australia Tour

• Captain: Rohit Sharma
• Vice-Captain: Jasprit Bumrah
• Batters: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul
• Wicketkeepers: Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel
• All-Rounders: R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy
• Fast Bowlers: Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana
• Reserves: Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed