BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar unveiled India’s Test squad in a press conference on May 24.
There was a lot of anticipation surrounding the squad as the veteran duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma recently announced their retirement from the traditional format.
Shubman Gill, who was a leading contender for the leadership role, has been handed the Test captaincy as India embark on a new World Test Championship cycle with the England tour. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been named the new vice-captain.
With Kohli and Rohit leaving the Test arena, the onus will be on KL Rahul to provide much-needed experience in the batting department.
Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal will open the innings in England, but hot on their heels will be Abhimanyu Easwaran, who has been picked as a reserve opener. Young batter Sai Sudharsan has received his maiden Test call-up.
Karun Nair returned to the Test fold after seven years on the back of his stunning exploits in domestic first-class cricket, while Dhruv Jurel retained his place in the side as a reserve wicketkeeper-batter.
Following the retirement of another stalwart, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja will lead India’s spin attack in England. Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav feature in the squad as other spin options.
As far as the pace department is concerned, the selectors have picked five fast bowling options, which will be spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah.
Interestingly, senior pacer Mohammad Shami failed to make the cut while Mohammed Siraj was retained in the squad. Left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh earned his maiden call-up to the Test side while Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep were also kept in the mix.
Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shardul Thakur feature in the squad as seam-bowling all-rounders.
India’s Test squad for England tour:
Shubman Gill (c), Rishbah Pant (vc & wk), KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sai Sudharsan, Karun Nair, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep