The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has selected ex-Indian cricketer Hrishikesh Kanitkar to be the head coach of the India A side for their soon-to-be-conducted shadow tour of England, scheduled from May 30, 2025. The tour is an important component of preparations for India's senior team's five-match Test series against England from June 20. Kanitkar, who represented India in a few Tests and ODIs, had a fruitful domestic career, scoring more than 8,000 runs, and now carries that expertise to an important developmental role.

Kanitkar’s coaching experience includes the IPL coaching of the Kochi Tuskers Kerala along with his current domestic side of Maharashtra. Kanitkar, who is described as being calm and possessing a good tactical mind, has significantly contributed to pushing young talent in all formats. His new role with India A comes at a crucial moment, as India needs to rebuild the Test side after the recent retirements of players from the format, such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The IPL 2025 season is slated to return on May 17 and end on June 3, so the player focus will transition from white ball to red ball cricket very quickly.

India A team, with Abhimanyu Easwaran as captain, boasts such exciting names as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, and Shardul Thakur, with Shubman Gill and B. Sai Sudharsan joining from the second match. The tour itinerary includes two four-day games against the England Lions, a mid-tour intra-squad match, and a game against the senior Indian team. All these games are meant to test fringe players' preparedness and condition for the eagerly awaited Test series.

Also Read: India A squad announced for shadow tour against England Lions

A New Chapter for India A Squad 

Kanitkar's appointment heralds a new direction for India A in a transition period. His skill in counseling young players through hostile conditions will be crucial as the side learns to cope with English wickets and match pressure.

With his guidance and experience, India A's shadow tour can be the defining piece of work in shaping India's red-ball future in the build-up to the WTC 2025–27 cycle.