India Test Squad for England tour: Shubman Gill has been named India’s new Test captain, as chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar selected an 18-member selection for the upcoming series against England on Saturday. The 25-year-old will lead India in the forthcoming series, marking the youngster’s debut in international cricket. Shubman Gill has yet to demonstrate his abilities as a batter in international competitions. However, the management took a significant risk by appointing Shubman Gill as captain.
Rishabh Pant has been chosen vice captain, and Karun Nair and Sai Sudharsan have been called up to the team. Last season, Karun Nair lit up the domestic cricket scene while representing Vidarbha. He had joy scoring runs in the Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Shardul Thakur has also returned to the squad. The medical team pronounced Mohammed Shami unsuitable. As a result, the Pacer will not be traveling to the United Kingdom. Sarfaraz Khan and Harshit Rana have been withdrawn from India’s cricket squad for the series against England.
“Mohammed Shami is not fit, and he can’t manage his workload in Test cricket at the moment. Shami has been ruled out of the series. The medical team told us that his body was not capable of handling the pressure of red-ball cricket. There is no point in taking a bowler whose fitness is not up to the mark,” Ajit Agarkar said while speaking to reporters.
Bengal batter Abhimanyu Easwaran has also been included to the squad, serving as the backup opener. The right-hander will shortly lead India A against the English Lions. The squad has three spin options: Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar.
The pace department consists of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Arshdeep Singh. Agarkar also indicated that Bumrah will not play all five Tests against England, as the physios will control his workload.
“Jasprit Bumrah won’t be available for all five Tests against England from what physiotherapists have told us,” Agarkar said.
The Test series between India and England will commence on June 20 in Leeds before the action moves to Birmingham for the second Test.
The Lord’s Cricket Ground will host the third Test, beginning on July 10. Old Trafford and Kennington Oval will host the fourth and fifth Tests of the series respectively.
India Squad: Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (wk and VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudarshan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav.
Source: HT