Kanitkar appointed head coach of India-A; India squad announcement could be delayed

Hrishikesh Kanitkar has been appointed as head coach of the India A side for their upcoming tour of England, the BCCI confirmed on Friday, May 16. The former India batter will lead the Abhimanyu Easwaran-captained team in a three-match red-ball series, which includes a high-profile clash against the India Senior team. Joining Kanitkar on the coaching staff are Subhodeep Ghosh of Assam, who will handle fielding duties, and Troy Cooley as bowling coach. The 18-man squad is set to depart for England in two batches on May 25 and 26. Their tour kicks off with a four-day first-class match against England Lions at Canterbury starting May 30. Following that, the second four-day match will be held in Northampton from June 6. The tour will then culminate with a behind-closed-doors intra-squad fixture against the senior India team from June 13 to 16 in Beckenham. Ahead of the second Lions match, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan are scheduled to link up with the A squad. The main India squad for the England Test series is expected to be named in the final week of May. Originally slated for May 23, the selection announcement has been delayed due to the mid-season pause and restart of the IPL. The senior team will fly to England on June 6, giving them nearly two weeks to acclimate before the first Test begins on June 20 at Headingley. Contrary to earlier reports, Gautam Gambhir will now travel with the rest of the squad as per the standard schedule.