With the exception of a few shocks, Team India has revealed their pretty simple Test team for the opening two matches of their five-match series against England, which gets underway in Hyderabad on January 25.
Ishan Kishan still appears to remain unavailable for selection, according to head coach Rahul Dravid’s remarks. This in turn, has created an opportunity for Dhruv Jurel. During a recent India A match, the batter made an outstanding 69 runs.
Curiously, behind KS Bharat and KL Rahul, Jurel becomes the third wicketkeeper featured on the team. For the home series versus England, it would be intriguing to watch if KL Rahul is trusted by the Indian team management for the WK spot on rank turners. They could also offer Dhruv Jurel a surprise debut, considering that KS Bharat didn’t fully take advantage of his chances using the bat.
Mukesh Kumar as well as Avesh Khan accompany Mohammed Siraj as well as Jasprit Bumrah in the pace unit. The standard suspects that make up the spin arsenal include players like Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin. The hosts’ XI appears to be similar to their last home game, with wicketkeeping spot providing some uncertainty.
Squad for first 2 Tests vs England: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, KL Rahul (WK), KS Bharat (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Avesh Khan.
Mohammed Shami : Unavailable or Dropped?
Since Mohammed Shami is still recovering from his ankle injury that kept him out from the Test series versus South Africa, there aren’t any big shocks in the bowling department. Shami hopes to return to action soon, according to a recent report on his fitness.
He has usually been very good with the ball in India and iafter his return, he might be in the starting XI. India would look to play Jasprit Bumrah only in the first two Tests and might choose to give him some rest ahead of a busy schedule over the next three-four months after the England series.
Fans react as Team India announce squad for first two Test matches against England:
India's squad for the first two Tests against England:
Rohit (C), Gill, Jaiswal, Kohli, Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), KS Bharat (WK), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ashwin, Jadeja, Axar, Kuldeep, Siraj, Mukesh, Bumrah and Avesh Khan. pic.twitter.com/nHqxCqyRRK
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 12, 2024
Feel for Pujara
Did everything for the team and still no signs of comeback pic.twitter.com/PYIDgxCjmr— CricketComiX (@CricketComiX) January 12, 2024
Shami?
— Sankott (@Iamsankot) January 12, 2024
why no kishan? dravid saab said he's in contention and there's no disciplinary action. any clarity on what's happening here?
— Sæn (@TheHelmetPunch) January 12, 2024
Team India ???? pic.twitter.com/RZOqhCiW7x
— Shivaye ? (@shivaye01) January 12, 2024
Even After Having Stats like this …. Not Selected pic.twitter.com/AUF1N9KYBN
— Cricket Guruji ? (@CricketGuruji6) January 12, 2024
Indian fans situation after selecting Avesh khan for test squad :
— Being Indian ?? (@SunilSa02606284) January 12, 2024
Ishan Kishan ?? Career over
— AP (@AksP009) January 12, 2024
So Shardul Thakur would not be considered in Indian team any more ?
— Chad Bhoi ? (Parody) (@mard_tweetwala) January 12, 2024
King Kohli is ready pic.twitter.com/Fe5MBk5WQH
— CHADitya ? (@CHADitya_18) January 12, 2024
Great to see Rohit and King kohli again in test series
— Saifi Sonu (@isaifisonu) January 12, 2024
BCCI to Pujara and Rahane pic.twitter.com/Dyszq9ezXg
— CricketComiX (@CricketComiX) January 12, 2024
