Akshay Thakur - Wednesday, Nov 05, 2025Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli dropped: The India A squad for the three-match ODI series against South Africa A has been announced. Tilak Varma has been named captain and Ruturaj Gaikwad vice-captain.
Ishan Kishan has also returned to the India A squad and will take over wicketkeeping duties. Powerhouse T20I batsman Abhishek Sharma has also been included in the squad, capable of opening the innings. However, Prabhsimran has also been given a chance.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were unlikely to play in the three-match ODI series against South Africa A, and that's exactly what happened. They were not selected. Young players Manav Sudhar, Nishant Sindhu, Vipraj Nigam, and Ayush Badoni have also been included in the squad.
The India A team will play three ODIs in Rajkot on November 13, 16, and 19. Rohit and Virat last played for India in the recently concluded ODI series against Australia, where Rohit Sharma won the Man of the Series award with a half-century and a century.
Tilak Verma (captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad (vice-captain), Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Ayush Badoni, Nishant Sindhu, Vipraj Nigam, Manav Suthar, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Khaleel Ahmed, Prabhsimran Singh (wicketkeeper)
