By Admin 
Consistency is the hallmark of a good team and system, be it an international side or a domestic outfit.
For India-A, that consistency in selection, defined roles, and overall template reflects both immediate and long-term plans — developing players against testing oppositions such as South Africa-A.
The two sides meet in a three-match one-day series here, while their senior teams battle with the red ball in Kolkata and Guwahati.
Though the spotlight will remain on the Tests, the selectors’ gaze will also turn to the proceedings at the Niranjan Shah Stadium.
India-A, which played three one-dayers against Australia-A in Kanpur in October, has retained eight members from that squad. The group largely features players who’ve either impressed in the IPL or shown steady domestic form.
The Kanpur series underlined the management’s preference for an aggressive batting approach — Prabhsimran Singh and Riyan Parag led that intent, while Abhishek Sharma’s role at the top fits the same template.
Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan join the mix this time. Ruturaj’s anchoring style and the southpaw’s attacking instincts offer balance.
Tilak Varma will lead this side in place of Shreyas Iyer, who helmed the team in Kanpur.
Prasidh Krishna and Ruturaj Gaikwad during a practice session.
| Photo Credit:
VIJAY SONEJI
In bowling, Prasidh Krishna and Arshdeep Singh bring international experience, while Khaleel Ahmed will look to make a stronger case after several quiet outings.
The visitor, meanwhile, arrives buoyed by its remarkable 417-run chase in the recent four-day match in Bengaluru, led by Jordan Hermann and Marques Ackerman.
Its core remains stable, with Jordan alongside his brother Rubin and Ackerman continuing to anchor the batting, and young Lhuan-dre Pretorius adding flair to the middle-order.
With both sides favouring attacking templates and Rajkot known for high scores, bowlers could be in for a long day, where even a 350-run target might not be enough.