The BCCI selection committee was in a marathon meeting on Sunday to finalise squad for IND vs AFG T20I series. While the idea was to name the squad for the first two IND vs ENG Tests, it is on hold. Instead, the selectors are likely to announce the squad this week. While Rohit Sharma will lead the side, selectors will have to take a call on Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. Both are out of the Test side. Mohammed Sami is also likely to return after an injury layoff.
Ruturaj Gaikwad is set to miss the first two Tests and it’s a lifeline for Shubman Gill at No 3. However, with Cheteshwar Pujara hitting a double century in Ranji Trophy, selectors will have to take a call on whether to recall the veteran for the Test series.
Shreyas Iyer who did not have a good run in South Africa will retain his No 5 role even if Ajinkya Rahane returns.
As for wicketkeeper-batter role, KL Rahul will continue as the new Test keeper-batter. Selectors will have to pick between KS Bharat and Ishan Kishan as the reserve keeper.
In the spin bowling department, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja will be the first two names. Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav will be the other two.
Jasprit Bumrah will spearhead India’s pace attack while Mohammed Siraj and Mukesh Kumar will be other ones. It’s unclear whether selectors will retain Prasidh Krishna. If he is dropped, Jaydev Unadkat or Avesh Khan can sneak in.
Shardul Thakur and Prasidh Krishna both are in red zone and could be dropped for the first two IND vs ENG Tests. The series begins in Hyderabad on
Probable India Test squad for IND vs ENG Test series:
Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Prasidh Krishna, Ishan Kishan (wk), Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat/ Shardul Thakur
