IND v ENG 2021: Team India’s likely squad for first two Tests against England

Regular skipper Virat Kohli will return to action after a well-deserved paternity break.

BCCI’s senior selection committee is all set to pick Team India’s squad for the first two Test matches against England on Tuesday (January 19).

As per a PTI report, regular skipper Virat Kohli will return to action after a well-deserved paternity break while veteran pacer Ishant Sharma will also be picked after an injury layoff.

The report further claims that Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin, who could not feature in the fourth Test against Australia due to abdominal strain and back spasms respectively, are likely to be available after an extended period of rest.

However, Mohammad Shami (fractured forearm), Ravidra Jadeja (fractured thumb), Umesh Yadav (calf muscle tear) and Hanuma Vihari (grade 2 muscle tear) will not be available for selection.

According to PTI, the Indian squad will have to enter the bio-bubble on January 27 and with both Test matches slated to be held in Chennai, the BCCI has decided to name a squad for the first two games (February 5-9 and 13-17) and the squad strength will be around 16-18 in addition a few net bowlers.

Ishant, who was out of action due to side strain, recently made comeback to competitive cricket via Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and looked in a good rhythm. He will form the pace troika along with Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj while Shardul Thakur and T Natarajan will be part of the squad as reserve pacers.

In the spin department, Ashwin will be the leader of the pack alongside Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav. Shahbaz Nadeem, who made his Test debut against South Africa in 2019, will be Jadeja’s like for like replacement.

Rishabh Pant and Wriddhiman Saha will be there in the squad as premier wicketkeepers whereas Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul will compete for the reserve batsman’s slot.

The report also suggests that Prithvi Shaw is likely to be axed and will have to go back to domestic cricket and prove himself.

India’s likely selections for first two Tests:

Openers (3): Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal (reserve)

Middle-order (3): Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (captain), Ajinkya Rahane (vc)

Wicketkeepers (2): Wriddhiman Saha, Rishabh Pant

All-rounder: Washington Sundar

Pacers (5): Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, T Natarajan

Spinners (3): Ravichandran Ashwin, Shahbaz Nadeem, Kuldeep Yadav

(With PTI inputs)