In keeping with its custom of revealing the senior India men’s team late at night, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has just unveiled the squads for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) and a four-match T20 International series against South Africa. Quite a few surprises have been in store for fans, as India beckon their march for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final spot.
No return for Mohammed Shami for BGT, delight for Harshit & Nitish
As many as three uncapped players have been announced for the huge Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series which is around the corner for India. While the Rohit Sharma-led side is on the verge to lost their undefeated streak at home, the biggest challenge lies ahead Down Under. In what has come as a blow to the Indian bowling lineup, there is no Mohammed Shami in the squad, who is still recovering from his ACL surgery. Although he was seen bowling in the nets in Bengaluru, his non-selection is still an indication that the veteran is still not fit enough.
Instead, Harshit Rana has received his maiden Test call-up. He is alongside vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna. Nitish Kumar Reddy is another pace-bowling option selected. His rise has been phenomenal in recent times, with even announcing himself on the big stage with a great T20I series against Bangladesh.
The battle for the reserve opener spot has been won by Abhimanyu Easwaran, who is likely to have his Test debut when Rohit Sharma becomes unavailable in the initial part of the BGT.
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Maiden T20I call-ups for Ramandeep Singh & Vijayakumar Vyshak
Alongside the BGT squad for India, the BCCI also named a 15-man squad for the 4-match T20I series against South Africa. The sure-shot entertainers will be played from November 8 to November 15. Suryakumar Yadav continues to be at the helm as there is no player selected in both the squads. Speedster Mayank Yadav, Riyan Parag and Shivam Dube were unavailable due to injuries. However, a delightful news has come for KKR’s Ramandeep Singh and RCB’s Vijayakumar Vyshak, who both have been selected in the squad.
Instead of Riyan Parag, India have included Axar Patel, who is not in the Test squad against Australia. Remarkably, Harshit Rana’s place has been taken by Yash Dayal, who continues to be away from the Tests since the Bangladesh surprise. Apart from this, the entire squad remains the same that took field in the T20Is against Bangladesh.
India’s squad for 4 T20Is against South Africa:
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ramandeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Avesh Khan, Yash Dayal.
Notes: 1) Mayank Yadav and Shivam Dube were unavailable for selection owing to injuries.
2) Riyan Parag was unavailable for selection and is currently at the BCCI Centre of Excellence for long term resolution of his chronic right shoulder injury.
India’s squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy:
Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar.
Reserves: Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed
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