On Friday evening, the Indian Cricket Board revealed the team for the opening two Test matches. With less than two weeks until the first Test match between India and England, there were a lot of rumours regarding the team that would be revealed.
The current World Test Championship cycle would include the five-match Test series versus England. All of the matches in this series would therefore be extremely important. Nonetheless, a few individuals were left off the roster who ought to have been there.
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3 players who should have been part of Team India’s squad for first two Tests against England
3) Shardul Thakur
Shardul Thakur (Source: Twitter)
Shardul Thakur has the task of establishing his value in domestic cricket following his lacklustre performances recently in Test cricket. The decision to bench him for the England series sends a strong message that he needs to regain his place, Thakur must excel in the demanding Ranji Trophy conditions.
The CSK all-rounder should take note of his exclusion and use it as motivation to get back on track and rejoin the national team. Shardul Thakur may not have been picked for another reason altogether as well. It is because he might not have been able to draft into the playing XI given the fact that Indian circumstances favour spinners more.
2) Cheteshwar Pujara
Cheteshwar Pujara (Source: Twitter)
During the most recent Indian domestic competition, the seasoned hitter from India has been playing well. Cheteshwar Pujara reminded the selectors just in time with a career-high 243 not out against Jharkhand. The soon-to-be 36-year-old had been unexpectedly left off the roster, with Shubman Gill keeping his spot.
Pujara has been sidelined despite his outstanding performance in the present Ranji Trophy, maybe as a result of a run of poor performances in recent international matches. The decision to leave out Pujara begs the concerns of whether domestic form solely should be the only criterion for a comeback and regarding the selection process itself.
3) Ishan Kishan
Ishan Kishan (Source: Twitter)
Ishan Kishan has made headlines with his decision to withdraw from India’s Test series against South Africa. Coach Rahul Dravid may have said otherwise, but Ishan Kishan is not included in the Test team. It’s unclear at this point if the child is still experiencing mental exhaustion. Ishan Kishan is now the most recent player to be left off the roster by the selectors due to Dhruv Jurel’s inclusion.
Kishan hasn’t been included in the 16-man England test squad, suggesting that he hasn’t made himself eligible for selection. For the same reason, Kishan was unable to play during the three-match T20I series versus Afghanistan. But he needs to remember that this is crucial playing time that he is missing out on. Once Rishabh Pant returns to full fitness, he would be given a longer run in the team.
