Five India A Players BCCI Can Groom For BGT 2027

India A players BCCI Can Groom For BGT 2027 (Source: AFP & Instagram/Nachiket Bhute)

The Men’s Selection Committee has announced the India A squads for the upcoming home series against Australia A in Puducherry. The series will feature two multi-day matches followed by three one-day games, with the first multi-day match scheduled from September 22 to 25.

The senior men’s team is set to play a high-octane 2-match Test series against New Zealand, starting November 19, 2026. Thus, the two multi-day matches against Australia A will be an apt opportunity for players to prove their mettle in the red-ball format.

However, soon the focus will shift to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2027. The five-match Test series against Australia, on home soil, is vital for India because it puts their historic 22-year home undefeated streak against Australia on the line during a rare, gruelling five-Test series.

It is worth noting that Australia has actively integrated and tested young batting sensations like Sam Konstas and Nathan McSweeney into the Test setup during high-pressure series against India, grooming them through Australia A and domestic pathways to handle elite subcontinental attacks.

India A Test squad vs Australia A: Aman Mokhade, Ayush Pandey, Devdutt Padikkal [C], Sai Sudharsan [VC], Yash Rathod, Shaik Rasheed, Kumar Kushagra [WK], Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Tushar Deshpande, Anshul Kamboj, Praful Hinge, N Jagadeesan [WK], Nachiket Bhute, V Vyshak*

Hence, in this article, let’s look beyond the New Zealand Test series and explore 5 names from India A's multi-day squad, whom India could groom for the marquee Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2027 in January-February.  

1) Yash Rathod

Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul have established themselves as a reliable opening pair for the Indian Test team, and there is no readily available backup for the opening position.

Thus, the BCCI would look to groom a player like Yash Rathod for the backup role, or even the starting spot, in the near future.

Let’s talk about Yash Rathod’s potential. The batter opens for Vidarbha, and in 29 first-class matches, he has amassed 2652 runs, with 194 as his highest score.

He averages more than 60 in First-Class cricket. Certainly, his numbers are the source of envy for many.

Also read - Search for India's Third Test Opener: The Race Beyond KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal

On top of that, there is, in fact, a bit of Gambhir in his batting style. In the way he dominates spin, in how he uses his feet to come down the track, while also being adept enough to rock back and play off the back foot.

That never-say-die badge Gambhir so often wore in India colours is also a major feature of Rathod’s batting.

Yash Rathod’s FC Records

2) Shaik Rasheed

The Andhra Pradesh batter, Shaik Rasheed, is inarguably one of the most talented young batters in the country, especially in red-ball cricket. He made his FC debut at the age of 17 in 2022 and has already played a substantial number of matches.

Rasheed bats at number 3 for Andhra and South Zone, and has shown he can handle the new ball with a solid, dependable technique.

In 31 matches, he averages 44.15with five hundreds and 10 fifties. This includes a double hundred, proving his ability to bat long hours in multi-day cricket.

Shaik Rasheed’s FC Records

3) Tanush Kotian

Tanush Kotian made his first-class debut for Mumbai during the 2018-19 Ranji Trophy season. Since then, the right-arm off-spinner has gradually transformed himself into a genuine all-rounder capable of influencing matches with both bat and ball.

In the 2023-24 Ranji series, Kotian emerged as the tournament's standout all-round performer. He picked up 29 wickets and scored 502 runs, playing an instrumental role in Mumbai lifting the Ranji Trophy.

As a result, he was added to the Indian Test squad as a replacement for retired Ravichandran Ashwin during the 2024 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. However, did not get an opportunity.

Nonetheless, Kotian remains one of India’s brightest domestic prospects. He was expected to receive his long-awaited India call-up in Sri Lanka after Washington Sundar’s injury. To everyone’s surprise, the selectors gave Saransh Jain a chance.

Jain failed to impress at the international stage. Thus, the national team would look back to Tanush Kotian’s direction.

Tanush Kotian’s FC Records

(Batting)

(Bowling)

4) Praful Hinge

Praful Hinge recently came into the spotlight after his memorable IPL debut for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2026 edition. The hit-the-deck bowler, who extracts bounce and movement even on subcontinental pitches, has received his maiden India A call-up for the two multi-day match series against Australia.

Also read - Mohammed Siraj Under Fire: Replacements Who Can Take His Place In Test Team

Hinge made his first-class debut for Vidarbha against Puducherry in the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy on 18 October 2024. He finished his Ranji Trophy season with 11 wickets in 4 matches.

Apart from that, Mohammed Siraj's recent dip in form and exclusion from certain squads suggest the national selectors may want to look beyond him. Thus, a pacer like Hinge could be groomed for the red-ball squads.

Praful Hinge’s FC Records

5) Nachiket Bhute

Nachiket Bhute’s FC Records

(Batting)

(Bowling)

An all-rounder by trade, Bhute has established himself through his solid right-handed batting and effective right-arm medium-pace bowling.

Nachiket Bhute had a great Ranji Trophy 2025-26, taking 29 wickets and finishing as Vidarbha’s leading wicket-taker last season. He maintained a strong impact with both the new and old ball, earning him a place in the India A squad.

The BCCI’s selection of Nachiket Bhute reflects its focus on backing pacers who can contribute with the bat. India have struggled when bowlers offered little batting depth, especially in Test cricket, where lower-order runs often matter.

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