KL Rahul keen to join India A squad for England tour, informs BCCI

Now that the IPL 2025 campaign has finally concluded for KL Rahul, the Indian batsman has swiftly shifted his focus to Test cricket. KL Rahul has been named in the India squad for the tour of England. The five-match Test series will kick off the new WTC cycle for the team, which is set to be led by Shubman Gill in the longer format. Meanwhile, KL Rahul, in the race to secure the opening spot following the retirement of Rohit Sharma, remains a crucial pick for the team. With Delhi Capitals eliminated from IPL 2025, Rahul has reportedly requested the BCCI to allow him to join the India A squad for the England tour. India A plays two games against the England Lions before the senior men's team kicks off the India vs England series on June 20.

KL Rahul likely to join India A squad for the second Test ahead of India vs England series

KL Rahul has reportedly informed the BCCI of his willingness to join the India A squad for the second unofficial Test against the England Lions. Ready to kickstart his England Tour ahead of time, Rahul is aiming to fine-tune his game ahead of the main India vs England series. Initially, the BCCI selection panel, headed by Ajit Agarkar, had named Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan in the India A squad for the match beginning June 6. However, with Gujarat Titans advancing to the IPL 2025 playoffs and still in contention for a spot in the final, scheduled on June 3 in Ahmedabad, both Gill and Sudharsan, also part of India, might be unavailable in time.

Shubman Gill, leading the India squad for the first time in Tests, might arrive in England directly for the India vs England series. Meanwhile, with Delhi Capitals out of the IPL 2025 playoffs race, KL Rahul expressed his availability and readiness to step in for the India A squad. The seasoned right-hander, one of the most experienced players in the Indian Test side in the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli is reportedly expected to travel to England on Monday.

The India A team, led by Abhimanyu Easwaran, begins their tour with a game against the England Lions on Friday in Canterbury. The senior India squad is also scheduled to play a preparatory intra-squad fixture on June 13 in Beckenham. The five-match Test series gets underway on June 20 at Headingley in Leeds. Notably, nine members of the India A setup are also part of the main Test squad. KL Rahul, known for his temperament and adaptability in testing overseas conditions, will be a key figure for India during the England Tour. Across 18 Test matches against England, he has amassed 807 runs at an average of 29.88, including two centuries and five fifties.