The India cricket team’s squad for the remaining three Tests against England has undergone significant changes, with key players being ruled out for various reasons. Former captain Virat Kohli has withdrawn from the squad, citing personal reasons, while middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer will miss the matches due to injury.
Additionally, the participation of KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja is uncertain, pending medical clearance. As the team prepares for the upcoming matches, let’s delve into the latest updates regarding the squad composition and the implications of these changes on India’s performance against England.
India squad for final three Tests:
Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul*, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), KS Bharat (WK), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja*, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh…
— Ridhima Pathak (@PathakRidhima) February 10, 2024
Kohli and Iyer’s Absence
Former Indian captain Virat Kohli has withdrawn his name from the squad for the remaining three Tests against England due to personal reasons. This marks the first time Kohli will miss a home series in his career. Additionally, middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer has been ruled out due to injury, with the National Cricket Academy monitoring his progress.
Squad Announcement
Rohit Sharma will lead the team in Kohli’s absence, with Jasprit Bumrah as vice-captain. The squad includes promising talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill and experienced players such as Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel. Rajat Patidar and Sarfaraz Khan have been retained, with Sarfaraz Khan expected to debut in the upcoming Rajkot Test.
Here’s the squad announced by BCCI:
Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul*, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), KS Bharat (WK), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja*, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep.
Injury Concerns Remains Persistent In Indian Squad
The participation of KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja in the third Test is subject to medical clearance. Both players are crucial to the team’s performance, and their availability will be determined closer to the match. Earlier, Mohammed Shami had to sit out for the series due to persistent back issues, while ace pacer Siraj missed the second Test at Vizag due to a thigh strain.
Akash Deep’s Inclusion
Bengal’s Akash Deep has been included in the squad, replacing left-arm orthodox bowler Saurabh Kumar. The 27-year-old bowling all-rounder’s impressive performance in domestic cricket has earned him a spot in the national team. His addition adds depth to India’s bowling lineup for the remaining matches against England.
The five-match series hangs in the balance with 1-1 for each team. However, it will be interesting to see India playing X1 for the third Test of the series at Rajkot.
