KL Rahul and 1 more player joins India amid ongoing Asia Cup 2025; injuries in camp?

Indian stars KL Rahul and Mohammed Siraj returned to action after a much-needed break ahead of the busy schedule. Neither KL Rahul nor Mohammed Siraj were picked for the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE, but they are in line for the Test series next month.

Before India makes a comeback with the upcoming two-match Test series against the West Indies at home, KL Rahul and Mohammed Siraj are playing for India A in the second and final unofficial Test match against Australia A at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.

KL Rahul and Mohammed Siraj back in action ahead of West Indies Tests

They were not picked for the first unofficial test, but the BCCI had already confirmed that “KL Rahul and Mohammed Siraj will be added to the squad for the 2nd multi-day match and will replace two players in the squad after the 1st multi-day match.”

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The second and final unofficial test between India A and Australia A already got underway on Tuesday, September 23, in Lucknow. KL Rahul is set to open alongside N. Jagadeesan, while Siraj was already sent to bowl against Australia A on the opening day.

This outing will give both Rahul and Siraj much-needed game time before returning to action for the Indian cricket team in the upcoming two-match Test series against the West Indies.

The first Test will be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad from October 2, while the second and final Test will be played at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium in Delhi from October 10.

Shreyas Iyer pulls out of the India A series

Meanwhile, India A captain Shreyas Iyer has pulled out of the second and final four-day match against Australia A in Lucknow. Iyer’s sudden decision has left the vice-captain, Dhruv Jurel, to take charge as the leader in the final red-ball game against Australia A.

The exact reason behind Shreyas Iyer’s withdrawal is still not confirmed. But Cricbuzz reported that the right-handed batter has returned to Mumbai after the first unofficial Test match, which ended in a draw in Lucknow on September 19.

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He reportedly informed the BCCI of his unavailability, citing personal reasons, but the real reason behind his move is yet to be revealed. This development comes at a time when Iyer’s career is under the radar.

Despite an impressive IPL 2025 campaign earlier this year, Iyer was left out of India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE.

And then many expected the India A games would help him to push for a Test comeback, but things haven’t gone to plan. Iyer was dismissed for just eight runs, failing to make the kind of impact he desperately needed in the first red-ball match against Australia A.

Dhruv Jurel set to wear gloves in West Indies Test series

Now, Dhruv Jurel is playing the dual role of both captain and wicketkeeper-batter for India A in the ongoing red-ball match in Lucknow.

It is being said that Jurel will be picked as the first-choice wicketkeeper for the upcoming Test series against the West Indies, as Rishabh Pant is yet to achieve match fitness at the NCA in Bengaluru.