Rahane to lead India against Afghanistan
Australia to host Sri Lanka in day-night Test in Brisbane next year
Ajinkya Rahane will lead India against Afghanistan, who play their maiden Test in Bengaluru in June, in the absence of regular captain Virat Kohli, the country’s cricket board (BCCI) said yesterday.
Kohli will represent Surrey in June after signing a one-month contract with the English county side to prepare for the Test series against England later this year.
He will return to lead India in the limited-overs series in Ireland in June before they head to England for three T20 internationals, three ODIs and a five-Test series starting in August. Afghanistan will play their inaugural Test match from June 14 in Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
The South Asian country and Ireland joined the ranks of full member nations of the International Cricket Council last year, taking the total number of Test-playing countries to 12.
India also decided to manage the workloads of other Test regulars, opting to rest batsman Rohit Sharma and pace duo Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah for the Afghanistan Test.
Batsman Karun Nair, seamer Shardul Thakur and left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav were drafted in. Thakur is yet to play in the five-day format for India.
The world’s top-ranked Test side last played the longest format in January in South Africa, where they lost a hardfought three-Test series 2-1.
Uncapped medium-pacer Siddarth Kaul made it into both India’s T20 and 50-over sides for the tour of Ireland and England after impressive performances for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League. Batsmen Lokesh Rahul and Ambati Rayudu were also rewarded with spots in the ODI side after strong showings in the IPL.
Meanwhile, a day after the BCCI poured cold water on their tradition of hosting a day/night Test at Adelaide, Cricket Australia have confirmed playing Sri Lanka in a pink ball match at the Gabba in Brisbane early next year.
The BCCI had on Monday written to the CA refusing to play under lights after which the Australian board confirmed playing the Islanders in a day/night game in January.
“We can confirm that we have received advice from the BCCI that it is not prepared to participate in a proposed daynight Test in Adelaide this summer,” a CA spokesperson was quoted as saying.