India to announce squad for next 3 Tests; Kohli absent. Updates on Bumrah, Rahul, Jadeja, Siraj forthcoming
The announcement of India’s squad for the remaining three Tests against England is imminent. While Virat Kohli is unlikely to participate, there is positive news regarding Rahul and Jadeja.
The BCCI senior men’s selection committee, headed by former pacer Ajit Agarkar, is scheduled to convene virtually on Thursday to finalize India’s squad for the remaining three Tests against England. Captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid are expected to participate in the selection meeting. Following India’s victory in the second Test in Visakhapatnam, Rohit engaged in extensive discussions with Agarkar. The selection process is anticipated to be complex, with several uncertainties, notably the availability of Virat Kohli, looming large.
ESPNCricinfo reported that Kohli, absent in the initial two Tests in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam, will remain unavailable for the third and fourth Tests. Additionally, his participation in the fifth and final Test in Dharamsala is uncertain. Allegedly, the former captain has conveyed his decision to Rohit and the selectors. However, with the series expected to be closely contested, the selectors might defer announcing the squad for the final Test, awaiting Kohli’s decision, and only reveal the squad for the Rajkot and Ranchi Tests.
Another significant player unlikely to feature in the series is fast bowler Mohammed Shami. The seasoned pacer has yet to fully recuperate from the ankle injury sustained during the ODI World Cup.
However, there is positive news for India in other areas. KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, who were sidelined from the second Test due to injuries, are expected to be included in the squad for the upcoming two Tests. Rahul suffered a quadriceps injury, while Jadeja sustained a hamstring injury while attempting a run in the series opener. Both players are currently undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. Although the final report from NCA doctors is pending, reports suggest that both Rahul and Jadeja are progressing well in their recovery. With the third Test in Rajkot still a week away, selectors are hopeful about their availability.
Siraj set to return; Bumrah won’t be rested from third Test
Pacer Mohammed Siraj, who was omitted from the squad for the second Test, is set to make a comeback to share the bowling duties with Jasprit Bumrah. The Indian team management is hesitant to field four spinners, making Siraj a strong candidate to be included in the playing XI for the Rajkot Test. He is likely to replace Mukesh Kumar, who faced challenges with his accuracy in the previous Test.
While some media reports suggested that Bumrah might be given a rest for the third Test, the recently crowned No.1 Test bowler is expected to play in Rajkot. Bumrah has been the linchpin of India’s bowling attack, and the team management is keen on retaining him during this critical phase. Moreover, the 9-day interval between the second and third Tests is deemed sufficient to manage Bumrah’s workload. However, if India emerges victorious in the third Test, there is a high likelihood that Bumrah will be rested for the fourth Test in Ranchi, given the limited gap between them.
With the series currently tied at 1-1, the upcoming third Test holds immense importance, as a win in this match would put the team in a favorable position.
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