Prithvi Shaw, Hardik Pandya Return For India A Tour Of New Zealand

Opener Prithvi Shaw and all-rounder Hardik Pandya have been named in the 15-man India A squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand. While Shaw has been included in the squads for the entire tour consisting of three one day matches, two tour games and two four-day games, Pandya has been included only in the squads for the one day and tour matches. Both the cricketers have been away from the field for quite a long time now. Shaw faced an 8-month ban after failing a dope test while Pandya went through a post-surgery rehabilitation. The 20-year-old opener would be targeting a berth in India's squad for the tour of New Zealand as a backup opener with Mayank Agarwal and Rohit Sharma set as first choices. However, chief selector MSK Prasad said after picking the India A squad for the tour of New Zealand that they want Shaw to get as much ‘game time as possible’. Hanuma Vihari will lead India in the first-class games in New Zealand while Shubman Gill will skipper in the 50-over format. The first tour match will be played on January 17 and the three one-dayers will be played between January 22 and 26. The two four-day matches will be held from January 30 to February 2 and February 7 to February 10. India A squad for two tour matches and three one-day games: Prithvi Shaw, Mayank Agarwal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill (Captain), Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Axar Patel, Rahul Chahar, Sandeep Warrier, Ishan Porel, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohd. Siraj India A squad for 1st four-day game: Prithvi Shaw, Mayank Agarwal, Priyank Panchal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Hanuma Vihari (Captain), KS Bharat (wicket-keeper), Shivam Dube, Shahbaz Nadeem, Rahul Chahar, Sandeep Warrier, Avesh Khan, Mohammad Siraj, Ishan Porel, Ishan Kishan India A squad for 2nd four-day game: Prithvi Shaw, Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper), Hanuma Vihari (Captain), KS Bharat (wicket-keeper), Shivam Dube, R Ashwin, Shahbaz Nadeem, Sandeep Warrier, Avesh Khan, Mohd. Siraj, Ishan Porel