Team India’s much-awaited five-Test series against England is all set to get underway on January 25 in Hyderabad.
On Friday (January 12), the BCCI announced India’s 16-member squad for the first two Tests, including three wicketkeeping options in KL Rahul, KS Bharat and Dhruv Jurel.
However, a report published in The Indian Express claims that Rahul won’t be the first-choice wicketkeeper in the home Test series. Instead, Bharat will perform the glovework and Rahul will play as a specialist batter.
On his return to Test cricket, Rahul did a great job in his new role as a keeper and middle-order batter during the recently held South Africa tour. He, however, is set to be relieved of keeping duties as the Indian team will once again prepare turning tracks for the visiting England side.
According to the report, the team management has made it clear to the selection committee that Rahul was asked to keep wickets in South Africa because of the bouncy pitches there. The ball was collected over waist height most of the time.
“The Indian team will once again be playing on a turner track, and the team management felt that specialist spinners should handle the job at home. The team has many quality spinners, and the team won’t take any chances, especially when the pitch being offered will be a turner,” The Indian Express quoted a BCCI source as saying.
For the first two Tests against England, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee has picked four spinners – R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Akshar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav.
Test specialists Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane were overlooked once again while the rest of the batting line-up wears a similar look that toured South Africa.
Avesh Khan has been added to the pace attack led by vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah. Mohammed Siraj and Mukesh Kumar are the other fast-bowling options.
There is no clarity at the moment on whether Mohammad Shami will feature in the remainder of the five-Test series as the senior pacer hasn’t resumed bowling yet.
(The Indian Express Inputs)
