A young squad, comprising leading performers in the Indian Premier League, will represent India ‘A’ in the T20 warm-up game against South Africa at the Air force Ground, in Palam, Delhi, on September 29.
While most of the 12-member side played at the India 'A' level, the newest entrants are leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal of Royal Challengers Bangalore, left-arm spinner Pawan Negi of Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians's Hardik Pandya, who was one of last season's finds in the cash-rich league.
The average age of the team, to be led by Punjab's Mandeep Singh, is around 25, the senior-most player being Kings XI Punjab and Railways pacer Anureet Singh, at 27.
The youngest is chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav of Kolkata Knight Riders.
Former India Under-23 captain and Twenty20 specialist Suryakumar Yadav also made the cut, while Mayank Agarwal, following a good showing for India ‘A’ in the List A games, was an automatic selection.
The only questionable selection was that of Punjab's Manan Vohra, who hasn’t done anything of note either for Punjab in domestic cricket or Kings XI Punjab in the IPL.
In the 10 T20 matches he played last season, 40 was his highest individual score.
Team:
India ‘A’: Mayank Agarwal, Manan Vohra, Manish Pandey, Mandeep Singh (captain), Surya Kumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, Rishi Dhawan, Anureet Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Pawan Negi, Kuldeep Yadav.
Image: Pawan Negi in Chennai Super Kings colours
Photograph: BCCI
