KL Rahul Likely to Play 2nd Unofficial Test for India A Ahead of ENG vs IND 2025 Test series: Reports

KL Rahul is all set to play in the second unofficial Test for India A against the England Lions at Northampton, starting June 6. He will fly to England on Monday, June 1, to join the India A squad ahead of the match. Since Delhi Capitals didn’t qualify for the IPL 2025 playoffs, Rahul has reportedly informed the selectors that he is fit and ready for red-ball cricket. His early involvement with India A is seen as part of his preparation for the much-anticipated five-match Test series in England, where he is included in India’s 18-member squad.

A BCCI source confirmed to The Indian Express, “He will be flying on Monday and will be playing a second warm-up game with the India A side. As he is part of the senior men’s team, which will be playing five Test matches in the series, these matches will give him game time and match practice.”

Notably, the Indian cricket team, led by Shubman Gill, is set to play an intra-squad match against the India A side at Beckenham on June 13, as part of their build-up to the highly anticipated five-match Test series against Ben Stokes and Co., starting June 20 at Leeds. Meanwhile, India A will kick off their England tour with the first unofficial Test against the England Lions on Friday, May 30, at the St. Lawrence Ground in Canterbury, followed by the second and final match at the County Ground in Northampton on June 6.

Rahul’s Experience Key for Upcoming England Series

KL Rahul scored 255 runs in five Tests in Australia averaging 30.66 with two half-centuries. He showed solid form in the first Test at Perth scoring 26 and 77. His performances prompted captain Rohit Sharma to change his own batting position from opener to No. 6 for the second Test. In 58 Tests, the star India batter has scored 3,257 runs at an average of 33.57, including eight centuries. Rahul’s experience will be crucial for the visitors during the upcoming five-Test series in England.

“I love red ball cricket. I mean, you can’t take that away from me or anyone who’s part of that Indian team. Everyone that I’ve spoken to on that Indian team, we’re all on the same page as to Tests being number one for us," Rahul recently told Sky Sports. 

“I grew up watching Tests. I grew up watching you guys play for England. I used to wake up at five in the morning and watch Tests in Australia with my father. He loved watching cricket as well," Rahul said.

India A vs England Lions 2025 Tour Schedule and Venues

India ‘A’ Squad for 2nd Unofficial Test: Full Player List

Abhimanyu Easwaran (C), Dhruv Jurel (VC, WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan, Sai Sudharsan, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Shardul Thakur, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, Tushar Deshpande, Harsh Dubey.

India vs England 2025 Test Series Schedule

India Squad for England Test Series 2025: Full Player List

Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (VC & WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav.

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