Former India player Venugopal Rao got his chance by consistently performing when he played for India A. “Every cricketer understands what a good performance at the A level can bring him. I got catapulted into national reckoning because of my India A scores,” he says.

The more recent example is of Parthiv Patel, who made a Test comeback about a month back. “An India A opportunity is a lot more than proving yourself in the domestic circuit. A couple of good matches and you’re right up there,” he says.
With Patel in the A squad who are busy with the series against Australia A, optimism will be there. It will be a big motivation for the excited but edgy bunch keen to drop the A from their T-shirts.

I was touching 40, but I thought I had a chance
Kanwaljit Singh become a certified second-stringer at the age of 40, when he was picked for the India A squad. Despite being in the twilight of his career, the veteran off-spinner had enough motivation to think big

WHEN I finally managed to be a part of the India A team, I was touching 40. But still, like everybody in the A team, I felt that I had a chance to make it to the next level — the Indian team. I was bowling better than ever and an off-spinner is always welcome in any side. Before getting this much anticipated break, I had taken more than 100 wickets at the first-class level. And that’s the reason my expectations were high.
But I will admit that when I looked around and saw my team mates, I could understand that everybody had aspirations. India A is a huge platform for cricketers who’ve done well on the domestic circuit and are looking to take the big leap. For some, it’s an experience that keeps getting richer with each game, each performance, until they get the India cap. For others, it’s the only level from where a comeback trail begins. In short, as much as playing for the India A team can be satisfying, it can also get equally frustrating.
For starters, an India A slot can be highly competitive. It definitely involves team effort and is also a matter of pride since one is representing the country. But let’s be frank, it’s also about individual competition. I wouldn’t say it led to any bad vibes in the dressing room when I was part of it, but every single player is counting on his own performance to make the most of the opportunity available. If someone gets the big break after such a tour then it turns out to be highly memorable, otherwise you’re just left behind like scores of others who make it to the India A level and remain there. To tell you the truth, I haven’t even kept the India A shirt I used to have. I do still have my Ranji cap though.

... contd.