R Samarth to replace Abhinav Mukund in India A squad

 Photo: AFP

New Delhi: Just another morning session at the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) stadium turned out be a red-letter day for Karnataka opener R Samarth as soon he got a phone-call, informing him of being selected for India A’s South Africa tour.

Karun Nair, the captain of India A, for the four-day matches, broke the news on twitter. Samarth has been called-up as a replacement for Abhinav Mukund in the India A side.

“We both were practicing at the KSCA ‘B’ ground when I got the call. He was extremely happy for me,” said Samarth to Wisden India. “We started out together in the U-13s and have graduated and played for Karnataka at the senior level.

The Karnataka opener got the lucky break as Abhinav Mukund was retained in India’s Test squad for the Sri Lanka tour later this month.

“It came out of the blue, to be honest. I was surprised to get that news in the afternoon. I never expected anything like that to happen because the squads were already announced. It feels great to have got this opportunity. It’s the first time I’ve been picked for India A. It’s something really special,” Samarth said.

India A were expected to play South Africa and Australia A’s in one-day tri-series, but that series looks off after Australian players pulled off owing to a pay dispute with the cricket association.

India A will also play two four-day matches against the hosts.