As the IPL 2025 playoffs continue, preparations are intensifying for the India-A squad’s warm-up fixtures ahead of their upcoming Test series against England. Reports indicate that ace batter KL Rahul, a crucial member of the senior team selected for the five-match Test series, will join the India-A squad for practice. He is set to participate in the second warm-up match against England Lions in Northampton, which begins on June 6.
Rahul’s participation comes after his IPL team, the Delhi Capitals, was eliminated from the tournament. He will fly to England on June 2, a few days prior to the main squad’s departure for the overseas tour.
A source from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) stated, “He will be flying on Monday and will be playing a second warm-up game with the India A side. As he is part of the senior men’s team, which will be playing five Test matches, these matches will provide him with valuable game time and match practice.”
As the India-A squad begins their preliminary tour in Canterbury, the full-strength Indian team is slated to engage in an intra-squad match on June 13 in Beckenham before the first Test kicks off in Leeds on June 20.
During India’s last away tour against Australia, Rahul played as an opener, scoring 255 runs over five Tests with an average of 30.66, which included two half-centuries. His noteworthy performances in the Perth Test—where he scored 26 and 77—originally helped secure a victory for India. However, after the return of Rohit Sharma, Rahul faced fluctuations in his batting position, resulting in an instability that ultimately impacted his overall run tally.
With Rahul’s inclusion in the India-A squad, fans can look forward to seeing him regain form and contribute significantly during the critical upcoming Test series against England. The matches leading up to the Test series will provide a vital opportunity for him to refine his skills and prepare for the challenges that lie ahead.