The road to the T20 World Cup is heating up, and the Indian camp just received a significant boost. With the mega-event just days away, the BCCI has announced a strong India A squad to face the USA and Namibia in crucial warm-up fixtures.
The headline news is the return of two of India’s most exciting young talents: pace sensation Mayank Yadav and stylish left-hander Tilak Varma. Both players are coming back from injury layoffs and will be looking to prove their match fitness before the tournament officially kicks off.
Mayank Yadav: The Speedster Returns After Injury Sidelining
Cricket fans have been waiting for this one. Mayank Yadav, the man who turned heads during IPL 2024 with his consistent 150kmph+ thunderbolts, is finally back in the mix. It hasn’t been an easy road for the youngster; Mayank has been sidelined for over a year due to a grueling stress fracture.
His last competitive outing was during IPL 2025, where he turned out for the Lucknow Super Giants against Punjab Kings. Having undergone extensive rehabilitation, his inclusion in the India A squad is a clear signal that the selectors still view him as a vital asset for the national side’s pace battery. All eyes will be on the speed gun at the DY Patil Stadium to see if he has retained that trademark “express pace.”
Tilak Varma Cleared for National Duty Following Recovery
Joining Mayank in the comeback circle is Tilak Varma. The left-handed batter missed the recent T20 series against New Zealand due to a groin injury but has now been given the green light by the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE).
The BCCI confirmed via social media that Varma will feature in one of the two warm-up games to find his rhythm before transitioning back to the senior national team. His presence adds much-needed depth and versatility to the middle order as the defending champions prepare to retain their title.
India A Squad and Schedule
The squad, led by Ayush Badoni, features a mix of IPL stars and domestic heavyweights including Riyan Parag, Ravi Bishnoi, and Khaleel Ahmed.
- February 2: India A vs. USA (DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai)
- February 6: India A vs. Namibia (CoE, Bengaluru)
India A Squad: Ayush Badoni (capt), Naman Dhir, Ashutosh Sharma, Priyansh Arya, N Jagadeesan (wk), Tilak Varma, Riyan Parag, Manav Suthar, Ashok Sharma, Urvil Patel (wk), Gurjapneet Singh, Vipraj Nigam, Ravi Bishnoi, Khaleel Ahmed, Mayank Yadav.
