[Exclusive] How a “wrong turn” led Harsh Dubey to India A dressing room?

The left-handed all-rounder Harsh Dubey, who is from Nagpur, was recently called up for the first time to the India A team, which is being coached by Abhimanyu Easwaran. The team will be travelling to the United Kingdom for three four-day matches against the England Lions. The 22-year-old’s achievement follows his record-breaking performance in the Ranji Trophy 2024–25, where he claimed an incredible 69 wickets with his left-arm orthodox bowling. In addition, Dubey, who typically bats six or less, scored an important 476 runs during Vidarbha’s successful season.

Following Ranji, this is likely his largest taste of success to date, bringing him one step closer to his ideal international call-up. Ten days ago, Dubey experienced yet another moment of joy when he was called up by the Sunrisers Hyderabad for the rest of the Indian Premier League season. Although his team has already been eliminated from the playoffs, a resolute Dubey says he is not considering the England visit at this time since he needs to finish the IPL first. He is available for three of SRH’s league stage games.

“I have three IPL games left, so I’m not now thinking about the England visit. After the BCCI formally announced the news, Harsh exclusively told, “My focus is still on playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL right now.”

Numerous messages and a healthy crop of well-wishers had already tagged the youngster on social media to send their congrats once he was contacted further. “Kartaa hoon aaram se baat. An incredibly thrilled Dubey said, “Abhi bahut messages hain (I’ll catch up later, there’s just too many messages I am yet to reply to).”

Despite taking a wrong turn in the direction of Vijay Book Depot, the all-rounder, who was born and raised in Mumbai, realised that his life was turning out well. When he and his father arrived at Ruby Club, six-year-old Harsh observed aspiring artists rehearsing on the maidaan. He chose to pursue the beautiful sport professionally since he was intrigued by it. As they say, the rest is history, written by Harsh himself.

Harsh Dubey has a deep faith in his process and trusts “God’s Plan” to handle everything else.

He would do the same when he lands in the UK. Alongside him will be Karun Nair, a teammate from Vidarbha who has also been given a “second chance” in cricket and is eager to make it matter once more.

India A squad for England tour, 2025

Abhimanyu Easwaran (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair, Dhruv Jurel (VC) (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Ishan Kishan (WK), Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan, Tushar Deshpande, Harsh Dubey