'SA tour a tough challenge'

 Terming India A’s upcoming tour of South Africa as a tough challenge, team coach Lalchand Rajput said it would also provide a good opportunity for fringe players to earn a berth in the senior team which is set to travel to the same country later this year.

“The tour to South Africa is a tough one. Everyone knows that Australia or South Africa is a tough tour. The ‘A’ tour is an opportunity for players who are in and out of the team (to impress the selectors) because if you perform well in it then you get selected for the India team,” he said.

“Cheteshwar Pujara went last year to the West Indies where he did well and immediately came into the Indian team. When we went to New Zealand, Bhuvneshwar Kumar did well, Shami Ahmed and (Ambati) Rayudu also did well and now they are in the Indian team.
This tour is important. Players also realise that if they do well in the ‘A’ tour then the next step is the Indian team.”