Table of Contents
As the Indian Premier League draws to a close under the sweltering heat back home, a different brand of cricket is about to unfold in the cooler climes of England. The focus now shifts to red-ball cricket, as India A embark on a crucial preparatory tour ahead of the Pataudi Trophy, taking on the England Lions in a series of First-Class matches. The opening game promises to be a key marker for players aiming to force their way into the senior Test teams.
Match Preview
The first game of the tour will be played on May 30 – June 2, 2025, at the Spitfire Ground, St. Lawrence, Canterbury, a venue known for offering early-season movement and challenges for batters unfamiliar with the Duke ball. Both India and England will view this clash as more than just a warm-up — it’s a proving ground for emerging talent and returning hopefuls.
For India A, the tour offers players a vital chance to acclimatise to English conditions and push for selection in the main squad for the Pataudi Trophy. Leading the team is Abhimanyu Easwaran, a dependable top-order bat with years of domestic success. All eyes, however, will be on Karun Nair, who has been handed another opportunity to break into the Test side, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, whose flair and technique will be tested by swinging conditions. Nitish Kumar Reddy’s emergence as a powerful all-rounder adds further intrigue.
On the English side, James Rew, the Lions’ 21-year-old skipper, has been touted as a future Test regular and will be eager to prove himself. The presence of Chris Woakes brings experience and class but has been rested for the first game, while the debut of Rocky Flintoff, son of former England great Andrew Flintoff, adds a generational storyline to the encounter. Flintoff Jr. will be under the spotlight as he steps onto the international stage for the first time.
Match Details
- Match: England Lions vs India A, 1st Unofficial Test
- Dates: May 30 – June 2, 2025
- Venue: The Spitfire Ground, St. Lawrence, Canterbury
- Start Time: 3:30 PM IST / 10:30 am GMT / 11:00 am Local
Head-to-Head Record: England Lions vs India A
- Matches Played: 6
- England Lions Wins: 1
- India A Wins: 3
- Draws: 2
Schedule
- 1st Unofficial Test: May 30 – June 2, 2025, Spitfire Ground, Canterbury
- 2nd Unofficial Test: June 6 – June 9, 2025, County Cricket Ground, Northampton
Squads
India A: Abhimanyu Easwaran (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Ishan Kishan, Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan, Tushar Deshpande, Harsh Dubey.
England Lions: James Rew (c), Farhan Ahmed, Rehan Ahmed, Sonny Baker, Jordan Cox, Rocky Flintoff, Emilio Gay, Tom Haines, George Hill, Josh Hull, Eddie Jack, Ben McKinney, Dan Mousley, Ajeet Singh Dale, Chris Woakes, Max Holden.
Live Streaming Details
Both the games will be available on the Sony LIV app in India and the ECB website in UK.
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