KL Rahul, India's seasoned batter, has proactively requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to include him in the India A squad for the upcoming second unofficial Test against England Lions, scheduled to commence on June 6.
Rahul’s decision stems from his desire to gain valuable match practice ahead of the senior team's five-match Test series in England, beginning June 20.
With Delhi Capitals (DC) eliminated from the Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025) playoffs, KL Rahul seized the opportunity to prepare for the challenging English conditions.
KL Rahul Requests India A Inclusion to Prep for England Test Series
As reported by the Times of India, Rahul was originally scheduled to leave with the Indian team on June 6 for the upcoming Test series against England.
However, as his IPL team, Delhi Capitals, are no longer part of the ongoing season, Rahul wants to fly to England as early as Monday to make himself better equipped to the English conditions. Bad weather in Mumbai and Bengaluru has also played a part in his decision.
"He will be flying on Monday and will be playing a second unofficial test with the India A side. As he is part of the senior men’s team, which will be playing five Test matches in the series, these matches will give him game time and match practice," a BCCI source said as quoted to The Indian Express.
Rahul did the same ahead of India’s recent Test series against Australia when he featured in an A fixture.
Notably, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee had named Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan in the India A squad for the second match. However, as Gujarat Titans (GT) have advanced to the IPL 2025 playoffs, both players might be unavailable for the India A game.
KL Rahul to Play an Important Role in England Series
With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli now retired from Test cricket, Rahul is one of the senior-most members of the side. He is expected to open in Rohit Sharma's absence or will bat at No. 3 in the England series.
In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, his performance was better when he opened. He amassed 276 runs in the series at an average of 30.67. Though he was pushed to No. 3 in the fourth Test, he played two crucial 77 and 84-run knocks while opening.
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