Mumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a 18 member team India squad for the subsequent five-Test series starting from November 22 against Australia. Indian Cricket team Captain Rohit Sharma is expected to spearhead the team in the hope of a better start in the series especially with a blend of new talent and the veteran. The selectors in a series of uncanny decisions have retained KL Rahul despite dropping him out of the Pune Test against New Zealand. Bengal’s opening burst man, Abhimanyu Easwaran, will join as the cover for the opener’s role. But, star fast bowler Mohammed Shami, who has been out of action due to injuries, has not been selected for this series.
Shami’s absence also means that Kuldeep has been left out of Australia tour
It was only after BCCI’s intervention because during the Pune Test India found itself in a very difficult position that the subject was finally decided. Shamiwho has only recently returned from injury having missed the last year was excluded from the squad. Likewise, spinner Kuldeep Yadav will also miss out the game as he is still recovering from a chronic Groyne injury in presence of BCCI medical team in Bengaluru. Hard all-rounder Axar Patel, who was not a part of the New Zealand series, has also been excluded from the tour squad to Australia.
Backup Opener Spot Goes to Easwaran, Young Talent Gets His First Big Break
The selectors also decided another contentious issue, the backup opener issue, and Bengal’s Abhimanyu Easwaran was preferred over India A captain Ruturaj Gaikwadu who was also a contender. Easwaran’s recent appearances for Gujarat in Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy and Irani Cup that fetched him centuries helped him find a place in the side.
Three newcomers will receive their first Test caps, two of which are Promising all-round Under-25 talent Nitish Kumar Reddy who played a good knock during the recently concluded T20 series against Bangladesh and Fast bowler Harshit Rana. However, pacer Prasidh Krishna back into squad after he had last played for the side ten months ago. Remarkably, India’s first successful pace bowler in Australia, Shardul Thakur, has been overlooked in this squad.
India’s Test Squad for Australia Tour:
Captain: Rohit Sharma
Vice-Captain: Jasprit Bumrah
Batsmen: Openers are Yashasvi Jaiswal and Abhimanyu Easwaran followed by middle order batsmen Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan and KL Rahul.
Wicketkeepers: Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel
All-Rounders/Spinners: Because there are seven members in the Playing XI, one more spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, an all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, a batsman-cum-wicketkeeper Washington Sundar, and the uncapped Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Pacers: Mohd Siraj, Akash Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Sharma
Reserves: However, India recently managed to assemble of a formidable seam attack comprising of Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar and Navdeep Saini.
New faces surfaced into the South Africa T20 series squad
Before taking on Australia, India will play T20 series later this year against South Africa comprising four matches from November 8, where Suryakumar Yadav will be captain. This 15-member squad reveals Raman Deep Singh and Vijaykumar Vyshak two fresh-faced talents who are itching to express themselves. Riyan Parag, who emerged as a star in the just concluded T20 series, is out due to a shoulder injury while Shivam Dube and Mayank Yadav are injured also.
India’s T20 Squad for South Africa Tour:
Captain: Suryakumar Yadav
Wicketkeepers: Sanju Samson, Jitesh Sharma
All-Rounders: Prithvi Shaw, Shahrukh Khan, Priyam Garg, Akash Singh, Arjun Azad, Anuj Rawtiya
Bowlers: Ravi Bishnoi Varun Chakravarti, Arshdeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Avesh khan, Yash Dayal
The two teams are the best example of the composition of the BCCI that includes experienced professionals together with young talents which will define the atmosphere of the further matches. As per both series, great contesting is in store for viewers and Team India gets a new face and plans to acquire wins on global level.