From India A to India, selectors swear by continuity

There's a fresh whiff of air with how 'A' cricket has been approached in India in recent times. To suggest that it wasn't as prominent in the past would be incorrect but the considerable rise in the volume of 'A' cricket and Under-19 team tours is evident. The decisions made regarding the management have been equally decisive as well. The involvement of Rahul Dravid with the 'A' and Under-19 teams since 2015 and the decision to extend his contract until the end of 2019 brings about a sense of longevity, something that hadn't been seen in the past.

In the past four years, India A has hosted Australia A twice and travelled Down Under last year. South Africa A have come visiting once while India A, earlier this year, played two four-day games in Potchefstroom and Pretoria. Last month, New Zealand A played two four-day games and a five-match one-day series across Vijaywada and Visakhapatnam.

MSK Prasad, the Chairman of the BCCI selection committee, turned up for every one-dayer that India A played against New Zealand A in Visakhapatnam. Following the day's play, he'd have long conversations with coach Dravid. The fact that he and his panel have been keeping a close eye on the 'A' performances, even at a time where there might not be any immediate openings in the national side, speaks volumes about how they are lining up the players for tomorrow. On Monday (October 23) when Prasad announced the 16-member squad for the three T20Is against New Zealand next month, it boasted of two young cricketers - Shreyas Iyer and Mohammed Siraj - both of who should make "everyone happy", Prasad went on to say.

"We have a clear-cut template about who should be there and when somebody has to be given an exit, when a youngster has to be called in. We have a clear-cut succession chart," Prasad told on Monday. "Shreyas Iyer has been prolific in all forms of the game, be it day's format, be it one-day or T20, be it IPL, he has been performing [everywhere]. We will sit with this policy that if we pick a player, we will give him an extended rope, and we will continue with him and nurture him and see that he goes on to become successful. So is the case with Siraj. He is doing well, he has been duly recognised and rewarded as well."

Against New Zealand A, India A could bat only once in both the games and on both occasions, Iyer plundered the bowlers at a strike-rate in excess of hundred, to score a ton and 82. In both the one-day games he was a part of, he emerged to be a cut above the rest, timing balls at ease even when the others around him didn't look as comfortable. Iyer's form in the Ranji Trophy, his century in the practice game against Bangladesh last year before his jaw-dropping double hundred against a visiting Australia ensured that he was the first choice to be called in as cover for an injured Virat Kohli. Ever since, as MSK Prasad would explain, Iyer had been in their scheme of things.

The story of Mohammed Siraj is no different. His 41 wickets in the Ranji Trophy last season ensured Hyderabad qualified for the knock-outs and if one thought he was only good for the longer form, his 2.6 crores signing with the Sunrisers Hyderabad helped him progress. With 10 wickets in his debut season, Siraj continued to stay relevant in the domestic circles of Indian cricket. While Ashish Nehra has been picked only for the opening T20I against New Zealand following which he will retire from all forms of game, Siraj's inclusion, irrespective of whether he plays or not, should boost his confidence.

"If you have seen the pattern with which we have selected the India 'A' players, the same bowlers we have been continuing with for the last one and a half years on all 'A' trips, that means they are very much in line. They have really done well in South Africa, also at home against New Zealand. This message has been clearly communicated and we are very happy. The players also need to take it in the right spirit that the new generation is coming up," Prasad said.

One of the hottest commodities that the senior side is busy chiseling presently is Hardik Pandya - a talent that was bubbling with far too much energy to be limited to just 'A' cricket. His steely, uncharacteristic 79 in Brisbaneput him on top of the selector's shelf. That Pandya is the perfect decoction of outrageous talent at a young age combined with fine talent was enabled thanks to spotting and giving the right push at the right time.

With the selection panel open about its rotation policy, there's only more hope for these young cricketers who have been consistently backed in the 'A' teams, Board President's XI sides and at the Under-19 level too. As much as the management is acknowledging the importance of these tours, the players have started to value it even more. Like Karn Sharma mentioned to Cricbuzz, "As much as I can remember, there used to be just the one overseas tour before, either Australia or South Africa would come, or we would go. But now, take a look at the U-19s and 'A' sides, there's a lot more activity. We are now getting a chance to play at the next level ['A' series]. State is obviously a great feeling, but be it 'A' or the senior side, this India tag makes a lot of difference."