Shikhar Mohan replaces KL Rahul - (Source: AFP/X)
In a significant development, the BCCI is set to revise the India A squad for the final two four-day games against New Zealand A. Notably, Jharkhand-based Shikhar Mohan has been drafted into the team, replacing KL Rahul, who will link up with the ODI squad.
A report from Cricinfo stated that 21-year-old Shikhar Mohan will be part of the India A squad for the 2nd and 3rd Tests vs New Zealand A. Notably, the youngster is fresh off a brilliant Ranji Trophy season.
Meet Shikhar Mohan: New Rising Star From Jharkhand
The youngster rose to prominence in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season when he opened for Jharkhand. He scored 613 runs, including a double-century, in 12 innings. Interestingly, Mohan started the ongoing season on a positive note and became the first centurion of the Ranji Trophy 2026-27 season.
Shikhar Mohan has already hit two back-to-back centuries and has amassed 297 runs in 3 innings, averaging 99.00. He has two back-to-back centuries and has earned an India A call-up for the New Zealand series, his maiden call-up within the Indian set-up.
Outside of the Ranji Trophy, Shikhar Mohan scored a fifty in the Irani Cup, two consecutive fifties in the Duleep Trophy, and amassed 322 runs in 9 innings in the Jharkhand T20 league.
KL Rahul To Link Up With The ODI Squad For Last Two Four-Day Games
The 2nd unofficial Test between India A and New Zealand A will kick off on October 31. Meanwhile, India’s ODI series against New Zealand will begin on November 4. Hence, KL Rahul won’t be available for the last two games and will leave the squad to link up with the Indian team.
Meanwhile, there is a positive update on Rishabh Pant as well, who is subject to fitness. The southpaw will start light training from next week.
India A’s Updated Squad For 2nd and 3rd Four-Day series vs New Zealand A
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, R Smaran, Kumar Kushagra (wk), Dhruv Jurel (capt, wk), Washington Sundar, Auqib Nabi, Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj, Manav Suthar, Mukesh Choudhary, B Sai Sudharsan, Yash Rathod, Mukesh Kumar, Rishabh Pant (subject to fitness), Shikhar Mohan (for the last two matches)
