The IND vs ENG Test series is levelled at 1-1. But now with three Test matches remaining, Team India faces a massive challenge in picking players in the middle order. With Shreyas Iyer being dropped from, there is a chance for Sarfaraz Khan to get his chance under the sun.
India received a major boost with the return of KL Rahul. The star batter missed out on the Vizag Test with a quad injury. But with KL returning to the squad, a late fitness call will also be taken before he gets the clearance from the medical Team.
But the hopes look positive for KL Rahul who has resumed practice ahead of the Rajkot Test. Another player who will get a chance to shine is Rajat Patidar. In the previous match, Patidar got his Test debut in the absence of KL Rahul and Patidar was decent given that it was his debut.
A late fitness call will also be taken on Ravindra Jadeja. The all-rounder missed the previous game with a hamstring injury. But it remains to be seen if Jadeja will be fit on his home Test. In such a condition, if Jadeja is not playing, India will need 2 players to replace Jadeja and Iyer.
India’s top order is set. Rohit Sharma and Yashavi Jaiswal will open proceedings. Shubman Gill will bat at number 3. With no Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Rajat Patidar will slot in at 4 and 5 position.
With KS Bharat not firing, Dhruv Jurel is tipped to get his maiden Test call up. Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin will slot in as the lower middle order in the absence of Jadeja.
India Squad for remainder of IND vs ENG Test: Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), KS Bharat (WK), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep.