IND-A vs SA-A: 5 India A players to watch out for in the one-day series

The unofficial ODI series between India A and South Africa A in Rajkot from Nov 13 to Nov 19 is short on matches but heavy on stakes. For many players, this is a final runway to push for India selection ahead of a packed international calendar, while for the selectors, it’s a chance to test bench strength against a high-quality South African A side. The series is expected to be a good contest between the two sides, although we expect the home team to triumph eventually.

Here are five players who can change the narrative for their careers as well as the series over these three games.

1. Tilak Varma 

Varma’s promotion to lead India A underlines how the board views him and the future of the team with him. He is a batter with range, timing and the temperament to bat through different phases. He’s played his way through white-ball pressure situations in domestic, IPL cricket as well as the T20Is  and captaining the A side now gives him a platform to show leadership alongside performance. 

Expect him to anchor chases or accelerate from the middle overs, exactly the kind of profile India’s white-ball setup prizes. He is expected to be one of the highest run-getters of the series with his brilliance off the bat.

2. Prabhsimran Singh 

Prabhsimran arrives in form and confidence as he smashed a quick century in India A’s recent run-chase against Australia A, a knock that clinched the series for the hosts and made headlines. 

That innings showed he can carry the aggression required of a modern opener while keeping an eye on the chase. Rajkot’s batting-friendly surfaces will tempt him to seize the powerplay. If he repeats that hitting, he’ll push hard for a senior call-up, which he has already started to make through his regular and aggressive IPL performances.

3. Abhishek Sharma 

Abhishek is more than an IPL slogger. He’s been among the higher-impact young batters this year in International Cricket, bringing a blend of improvisation and controlled strike-rate management. 

Recent international and franchise outings, plus consistent white-ball returns, make him a pick to watch out for at the opening role, where he can accelerate right from the start, which he usually does in T20Is, or rebuild if early wickets fall. If India A needs a match-turning cameo, Abhishek fits the bill.

4. Arshdeep Singh 

Arshdeep brings international experience to the A side’s bowling unit. He led the attack in recent India A matches and was among the wickets in the Australia A series, and has been one of the most impactful bowlers in the ongoing Australia tour as well. 

His ability to swing the ball early and execute yorkers at the death provides India A with a clear strike option. For South Africa A, who have power in their middle order, Arshdeep’s control in the first 10 overs and at the back end could prove decisive.

5. Harshit Rana 

Harshit Rana has quietly built momentum in the domestic and A-team setup, and he showed his credentials by taking important wickets in the recent India A games. He brings good pace, bounce and an aggressive mentality that suits Indian pitches with variable bounce. As a seam partner capable of breaking partnerships, Harshit is a name to track, as strong performances here could vault him into larger conversations for India’s pace reserves for a longer period of time.

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