The stage is set at Lucknow’s Ekana Cricket Stadium, where the 1st Unofficial Test between India A and Australia A kicked off on September 16, 2025. Over the next four days, the stadium is hosting a contest that’s far more than a mere ‘A’ series fixture—it’s a proving ground for tomorrow’s stars, a high-stakes audition for a coveted spot in the senior Test squads. As the action unfolds, all eyes are on India A’s captain Shreyas Iyer and top-order hopeful Abhimanyu Easwaran, each with a point to prove and a future to shape.
For Shreyas Iyer, this match is more than just another captaincy stint. After a spell away from the senior team, Iyer is determined to use this opportunity to showcase both his leadership and his batting prowess. With crucial home Test series against the West Indies and South Africa looming, his form here could well dictate his immediate future in the national setup. According to MyKhel, "Shreyas Iyer has been appointed as India A captain as the star batter gets an opportunity to pave his way back in the Indian Test side ahead of two crucial home Test series." The pressure is palpable, but so is the anticipation.
Iyer isn’t the only one in the spotlight. Abhimanyu Easwaran, a seasoned performer in the domestic circuit, is yet to make his red-ball debut for India, despite being on the selectors’ radar for years and traveling with the squad on overseas tours to England, Australia, and South Africa. The current series offers him another chance to turn heads and finally break through. As Republic World puts it, "Easwaran has been in the radar for some time but is yet to make his red-ball debut. Both players have got truckloads of runs in the domestic circuit, but that does not seem good enough."
The India A squad is a blend of youth and experience, with names like Sai Sudharsan, N. Jagadeesan, Devdutt Padikkal, and Dhruv Jurel vying to make their mark. Wicketkeeping duties are shared between Jagadeesan and vice-captain Jurel, while all-rounders Nitish Kumar Reddy and Ayush Badoni add depth. The bowling attack features pace threats Prasidh Krishna, Khaleel Ahmed, and Yash Thakur, complemented by the spin duo Manav Suthar and Tanush Kotian. The squad list, as reported by multiple sources, reads: Shreyas Iyer (c), Abhimanyu Easwaran, N. Jagadeesan (wk), Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel (vc/wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Harsh Dubey, Ayush Badoni, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Tanush Kotian, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Khaleel Ahmed, Manav Suthar, and Yash Thakur.
On the other side, Australia A arrives with a roster brimming with promise. Sam Konstas, Xavier Bartlett, Jack Edwards, and Campbell Kellaway headline a squad eager to test their mettle in subcontinental conditions. The visitors’ lineup also features Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Fergus O’Neill, Oliver Peake, Josh Philippe, Corey Rocchiccioli, Liam Scott, Will Sutherland (for the second game), and Henry Thornton. Jack Edwards captains the side, bringing both leadership and all-round ability to the fore. For many of these Australians, this tour represents a crucial step in their cricketing journeys, a chance to acclimatize and impress on foreign soil.
The match schedule runs from September 16 to 19, with play beginning each day at 9:30 AM IST, following a 9:00 AM toss. But while the on-field stakes are high, the action has been largely invisible to fans back home. To the dismay of cricket lovers across India, there’s no live TV or streaming coverage of the series. Despite earlier reports suggesting JioHotstar would carry the broadcast, supporters have been left with only score updates from ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, or the BCCI website. As highlighted by several outlets, "Fans cannot watch the match live on JioHotstar despite earlier reports suggesting coverage. The only ways to follow the match are through score updates on ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, or the BCCI website."
This lack of live coverage has sparked frustration among fans and pundits alike. Many argue that the BCCI, as the world’s richest cricket board, should have ensured broader access—especially when the match involves the next generation of Indian stars. As one report laments, "Fans are upset because BCCI, despite being the richest cricket board, does not provide live coverage for these important games." The absence of streaming isn’t new either; earlier in the year, the Duleep Trophy was not streamed except for the final, reinforcing a pattern of neglect for smaller tournaments.
The contrast with other boards is stark. Cricket Australia and the England and Wales Cricket Board routinely stream their A team and women’s matches, often for free, demonstrating a commitment to fan engagement and transparency. Their approach has set a benchmark that Indian fans now expect the BCCI to match. The current blackout not only limits fan engagement but also deprives young players—like Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Devdutt Padikkal, and Australia’s Sam Konstas and Todd Murphy—of the exposure that can shape careers and build followings.
For the players, however, the absence of cameras changes nothing about the challenge at hand. Shreyas Iyer, with his experience, is looking to “optimize this opportunity,” while Easwaran, Sudharsan, Jagadeesan, and Padikkal are all hungry for runs. As Republic World notes, "Other players like Dhruv Jurel, Sai Sudarshan and N. Jagadeesan would also like to get among the runs." Each session is a chance to impress selectors, and every run or wicket could be the difference between a call-up and a missed chance.
Australia A’s emerging talent—led by captain Jack Edwards and supported by the likes of Sam Konstas and Xavier Bartlett—are relishing the test of playing in India’s challenging conditions. With the senior Australian side always on the lookout for fresh faces, a standout performance here could fast-track a youngster’s journey to the baggy green.
Despite the lack of live visuals, the significance of this series can’t be overstated. For India A, it’s a dress rehearsal before two high-profile home Test series. For Australia A, it’s a rare chance to adapt to subcontinental pitches and prove their readiness for international duty. For both sides, the next four days in Lucknow are about more than just numbers on a scorecard—they’re about seizing the moment, making a statement, and edging closer to the ultimate dream: a senior Test cap.
As play continues at Ekana Cricket Stadium, fans may be forced to follow the action through scorecards and social media, but the stakes remain sky-high for the players involved. The absence of cameras won’t dim the intensity on the field, nor the dreams of those who hope to turn this opportunity into a lifelong memory. The spotlight, for now, shines brightest on those willing to rise above the noise—and the silence.
